Treatment of melanoma with dendritic cells in Germany
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Immunotherapy for melanoma is the treatment of choice for patients with metastatic tumors, resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, and disease recurrence after the successful initial treatment. Vaccination with dendritic cells reboots a person's immunity, teaching it to find and attack melanoma cells throughout the body. In this case, the vaccine is made individually from the person's immune cells. In Germany, the dendritic cell melanoma treatment complements the standard therapeutic protocol in many patients. The melanoma vaccine works by creating a personalized immune response that can identify and target cancer cells with remarkable precision even after treatment concludes. This is one of the reasons for the excellent results and the long relapse-free period after completion of treatment in this country.
Who will benefit from the melanoma vaccine?
Vaccination complements the complex treatment regimen for melanoma, which includes the maximum possible excision of the tumor, irradiation of regional lymph nodes (in the presence of indications), administration of cytostatic agents (chemotherapy), and targeted therapy. It can be carried out:
- In the early stages of cancer, after surgery. In stages 1 and 2 of melanoma, surgery is the only treatment method in the conventional protocol. However, the additional administration of the melanoma vaccine reduces the risk of the disease recurrence.
- In the advanced stages of cancer, in the presence of distant metastases in the liver, brain, lungs, and other internal organs. In this situation, vaccination suppresses the growth of metastases of all localizations and prevents the progression of the disease.
- For unresectable tumors. In this case, the vaccine slows down the growth of the primary tumor, prevents metastasizing, and allows the disease to be controlled longer.
While the effectiveness of targeted melanoma therapy depends on the genetic peculiarities of the tumor (the presence or absence of a BRAF mutation, identification of which requires additional genetic analysis), the dendritic cell vaccine works in all patients. The vaccine for metastatic melanoma provides a therapeutic option that transcends genetic limitations, offering hope to patients regardless of their tumor's molecular profile. Depending on the peculiarities of the clinical course of melanoma, the doctor only adjusts the duration of the treatment course and the number of vaccine doses.
«The melanoma vaccine is indicated to all patients, regardless of the antigenic composition of the tumor and the presence of a BRAF mutation.»
An additional advantage of using dendritic cells in the treatment of melanoma is their excellent tolerability and absence of severe side effects. The drug can be administered to people with any body weight at any stage of cancer. If, during the examination before the start of vaccination, doctors reveal severe disorders of the liver or kidneys function. In that case, additional treatment is carried out in order to normalize their function.
How is dendritic cell vaccination performed?
Treatment with dendritic cells begins with manufacturing a vaccine. While prophylactic vaccines can be simply purchased, the dendritic cell vaccine is made for the patient individually. The advantage of such a vaccine is that it corresponds to the peculiarities of immunity and a tumor in a particular person. The main relative disadvantage is that manufacturing the drug takes time and requires the availability of a specialized laboratory at the clinic.
During the first visit to the clinic, the patient undergoes a leukapheresis procedure. This allows doctors to extract from the blood the maximum number of monocytes (these are blood cells from which immature dendritic cells can be obtained). Dendritic cells are cultivated in the laboratory. When their number reaches the required minimum, the cells are introduced to the antigens of the tumor. These can be obtained during liquid biopsy (i.e. finding malignant cells in the blood), regular biopsy or surgical removal, laboratory-produced antigens can also be used. As a result, the vaccine contains thousands of dendritic cells that are able to recognize melanoma and its metastases. This new vaccine for melanoma establishes a comprehensive immune surveillance system that continues working long after the treatment course has ended.
The drug can be administered in several ways:
- Intradermal injection. With this way of introduction, 1-2% of the cells from the vaccine are active. This, however, is quite sufficient for the formation of anti-cancer immunity.
- Subcutaneously. This is a less effective, albeit simpler, route of administration. In this case, less than 1% of the cells from the vaccine are active.
- In the lymph nodes in the affected area. This is the most effective type of vaccination. Up to 80% of cells are actively involved in the formation of antitumor immunity.
- Intravenously. When administered intravenously, dendritic cells do not accumulate objectively in the affected body region. They accumulate in the lungs, spleen, liver, and red bone marrow. Clinical efficacy in the treatment of melanoma is minimal in this case.
Each administration method of the vaccine for melanoma offers different activation profiles of dendritic cells, allowing doctors to customize the approach based on the patient's specific disease presentation and treatment goals. In most cases, the vaccine is injected into the lymph nodes, which are pre-visualized with the help of ultrasound. If this is not possible for some reason, then doctors will prefer an intradermal injection.
Before vaccination, German doctors can additionally carry out a session of photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT involves the intravenous administration of substances that accumulate in melanoma cells and make them more sensitive to light with a certain wavelength. At the same time, such light is completely safe for healthy tissues. The area affected by melanoma is placed under a special lamp, and its cells are destroyed due to the action of the introduced photosensitizer.
Dendritic cell vaccination is typically administered as a one-time treatment course. This groundbreaking immunotherapy works by permanently programming the immune system to recognize and combat specific cancer cells.
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Results of vaccination with dendritic cells in melanoma
In the field of oncology, dendritic cell therapy for melanoma in Germany offers a promising approach that may improve prognosis and manage symptoms by enhancing the immune system's response to tumor cells. This innovative treatment plays a crucial role in stimulation of the body's natural defenses, potentially increasing the immunogenicity of cancer cells and making them more vulnerable to attack. The therapy can be combined with other treatments like hyperthermia and may involve the infusion of activated dendritic cells, offering a multifaceted approach to combating this aggressive form of skin cancer.
Vaccination initiates antitumor immunity and maintains its highest activity for a long time. Thanks to this, German doctors have achieved several important goals and high success rates in melanoma therapy:
- Suppress growth of the primary tumor and its metastases
- Prevent further metastasizing of melanoma
- Prolong life and improve its quality
- Minimize the risk of melanoma recurrence
All this is possible due to the fact that an individually created vaccine with dendritic cells affects several parts of the anti-cancer immune response. Special laboratory blood tests, namely immunogram, help doctors evaluate the degree of this effect. Several specific changes are present in the study of the immune system after vaccination:
- Activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. They destroy the tumor by damaging the membranes of its cells.
- Activation of NK cells. They destroy the nucleus and internal structures of malignant cells.
- The formation of "immune memory cells." They collect and store information about the tumor and allow the immune system to respond to the development of a relapse quickly.
Research on dendritic cell vaccines continues; the drugs become more and more perfect every year. Each refinement in the new melanoma treatment protocol brings researchers closer to optimizing the balance between maximum tumor response and minimal side effects. Scientists change the conditions for the reproduction of dendritic cells and experiment with tumor antigens to activate them. This increases the antitumor potential of vaccines and the level of anti-cancer immune response in patients.
«The anti-cancer immunity formed after the completion of DC therapy for melanoma remains highly active for a long time, during several months or even years.»
Many oncologists now consider combination approaches that include dendritic cell therapy to be the most effective melanoma treatment strategy, particularly for aggressive or recurrent cases.
Patient Experiences with Dendritic Cell Therapy
Exclusive Interview with Prof. Dr. med. Frank Gansauge on Dendritic Cell Therapy
Professor Frank Gansauge is a pioneering expert in dendritic cell immunotherapy with over 22 years of experience in this innovative field. Originally trained as a surgeon, Prof. Gansauge found his true calling in immunology, particularly in developing advanced treatments for cancer patients through dendritic cell therapy. His clinic has become renowned across Europe for combining classical treatment methods with cutting-edge immunotherapeutic approaches.
In this comprehensive interview, Prof. Gansauge shares valuable insights about the development of dendritic cell therapy, its applications in cancer treatment, particularly for melanoma, and its impressive efficacy rates of 50-65%. He explains in detail how this therapy, first discovered by Nobel Prize winner Ralph Steinman, has evolved over the past 25 years to become an important component in modern cancer treatment protocols.
Read the full interview with Prof. Gansauge to learn about:
- The scientific principles behind dendritic cells and how they orchestrate immune responses
- The laboratory process for creating personalized dendritic cell vaccines
- How this therapy complements conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
- Real success stories of patients achieving complete remission after treatment
- The minimal side effects compared to traditional cancer therapies
- What makes his clinic's approach to dendritic cell vaccination unique and effective
- The promising future applications of this technology in treating allergies and in anti-aging medicine
For patients with melanoma, especially those with advanced or metastatic disease, Prof. Gansauge's expertise offers hope and insight into a treatment that can potentially prolong life while maintaining quality of life. His clinic's approach focuses not just on physical healing but on overall well-being, treating each patient as an individual rather than following standardized protocols.
This interview provides essential information for anyone considering immunotherapy options for melanoma or other types of cancer, delivered by one of Germany's foremost experts in the field.
How to undergo dendritic cell vaccination in Germany
Due to the specifics of the vaccine manufacturing, dendritic cell treatment is unavailable in all hospitals. Specialized centers offering this new treatment for metastatic melanoma maintain strict quality protocols to ensure each personalized vaccine achieves its maximum therapeutic potential. If you want to supplement the standard treatment of melanoma with this innovative method of immunotherapy, you can contact one of the specialized German clinics. Thanks to the excellent organization of medical care, German clinics can also admit foreign patients.
You can choose a clinic and make an appointment for a convenient date on the Booking Health website. Here you can also check the average cost of treatment. Booking Health is an international company that has been helping patients from 75 countries undergo cancer treatment in Germany for over 12 years. The quality of its work in the field of medical tourism meets high international standards.
Booking Health experts will help you:
- Choose a clinic and doctor specializing in the treatment of melanoma, including the use of dendritic cell vaccines
- Make an appointment on the desired date without being on a long waiting list
- Understand the preliminary treatment program (how many times you will need to visit the clinic, what examinations you will need to undergo, etc.)
- Communicate with your doctor; if necessary, arrange a distant consultation
- Get treatment at a favorable cost, without additional taxes for foreign patients that are present in many clinics (saving up to 50%)
- Undergo additional treatment or rehabilitation, purchase medicines to continue the course of treatment at home
- Translate the existing medical records into German, translate recommendations after the treatment completion into your native language
- Check prices and final calculation from the clinic
- Maintain contact with the clinic after the treatment completion
Booking Health doctors will provide independent control of all stages of your treatment. Company managers will take care of the organizational part: visa issuing, flights, transfers, accommodation, translation services, and much more. During your stay in Germany and until your return home, a personal medical coordinator will always be in touch with you.
Frequently asked questions of our patients
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. Dendritic cell therapy involves using the patient's dendritic cells, modified to target melanoma, to stimulate the immune system to attack the cancer more effectively.
Advantages include a targeted treatment approach, minimal side effects compared to conventional therapies, and the potential for long-term remission. This therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with advanced melanoma.
Effectiveness varies based on individual patient factors and the stage of melanoma. However, many patients have experienced significant improvements, with some achieving long-term remission and improved quality of life.
Most side effects are mild, such as fever and fatigue. Severe side effects are rare but can occur, requiring close monitoring during treatment to manage any adverse reactions promptly.
Yes, dendritic cell therapy can be used alongside other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. Combining treatments can enhance overall effectiveness and improve outcomes.
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Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
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Dendritic cell therapy in cancer treatment in Germany - Vaccination against cancer
Immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma according to the TIL protocol (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes)
