Standard therapy for glioblastoma includes surgical removal of the tumor in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. With standard treatment of glioblastoma, the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 15-17 months, and the 5-year survival rate does not exceed 5-10% [1] . Supplementing the standard protocol with the dendritic cell vaccine is the most promising approach, the effectiveness of which exceeds all therapies currently used in neurooncology [2] . According to the results of clinical trials, 60% of patients who received immunotherapy treatment live longer than the average expected period, and approximately one-third of patients are completely cured. You can undergo treatment with dendritic cells in Germany. Find a comprehensive list of specialized clinics, prices for medical services, and approximate admission dates for dendritic cell vaccination on the Booking Health website.
Traditional vs. Innovative: Comparing Glioblastoma Treatment Approaches
When facing a glioblastoma diagnosis, patients and their families must navigate complex treatment decisions that can significantly impact both survival and quality of life. Understanding the differences between conventional therapies and innovative approaches like dendritic cells in Germany empowers patients to make informed choices about their care journey.
What’s in The Conventional Protocol?
With brain tumors, traditional approaches begin with a surgical intervention [3] . Despite advanced imaging guidance and sophisticated mapping techniques that help preserve critical brain functions, surgery faces a fundamental challenge: GBM tumor cells are surrounded by infiltrating cancer cells, which makes complete removal impossible. Even with the most skilled surgical team, some tumor cells invariably remain behind, leading to frequent brain tumor recurrence.
Following surgery, patients typically undergo radiation therapy, delivered in carefully measured doses over several weeks [4] . While radiation can effectively damage cancer cells, it also affects healthy brain tissue, requiring a delicate balance between treatment effectiveness and side effects. The standard protocol of 10 to 30 treatments can be physically and emotionally demanding for patients. Similarly, chemotherapy, while standard practice, faces a significant obstacle in the blood-brain barrier and is connected with severe side effects.
Enhancing The Protocol With Dendritic Cell Vaccines
This is where dendritic cell therapy for glioblastoma emerges as a groundbreaking alternative. The discovery of dendritic cells earned American scientist Ralph Steinman the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2011 [5].
Dendritic cell vaccination uses the immune cells, which act as the "officers" of the patient's immune system. These cells are specially processed in the laboratory to recognize and target brain tumor cells, offering several distinct advantages over conventional treatment of glioblastoma:
- Precision targeting. Traditional treatment of glioblastoma can damage healthy tissue, while dendritic cell-based medications harness the patient's immune system to target cancer cells due to their specific tumor antigens. This approach minimizes collateral damage to healthy brain tissue.
- Adaptive response. Dendritic vaccines create a dynamic immune response that can adapt to mutations in the tumor antigens, potentially addressing the challenge of tumor cells’ evolution that often leads to a lack of response to conventional methods.
- Long-term protection. While traditional treatments work only during their administration, dendritic vaccines offer longer-term protection against recurrence.
- Minimal side effects. Compared to the often severe side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, dendritic vaccines show excellent tolerability, allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life during the treatment of glioblastoma.
- Crossing the blood-brain barrier. Unlike chemotherapy drugs that are stopped by the blood-brain barrier, immune cells activated by dendritic vaccines can naturally traverse it to reach brain tumor cells.
Dendritic Cell Vaccines in Clinical Trials
A landmark 2023 study published in Translational Cancer Research marks the first Phase III controlled report showing improved overall survival in glioblastoma patients using dendritic cell vaccination. The study revealed a particularly strong immune response in patients with MGMT promoter-methylated GBM, demonstrating a significant reduction in mortality risk compared to standard treatment of glioblastoma.
Most notably, when dendritic cell vaccination was combined with tumor treating fields (TTF) in relapsed patients, outcomes were especially promising, suggesting the potential for even greater effectiveness when used as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. [2]
Practical Applications of Dendritic Cell Vaccines
For deeper insights into dendritic cell vaccination and its applications in the treatment of glioblastoma, Professor Frank Gansauge shares his expert perspective, drawing from over 22 years of experience in immunotherapy. His clinic has been at the forefront of developing and implementing dendritic cell treatments, investigating peculiarities of the immune response, and achieving significant results in various types of cancer, including glioblastoma.
Professor Gansauge's clinical experience in treatment with dendritic cells in Germany demonstrates its effectiveness across different cancer types, with measurable results visible through diagnostic imaging. His approach uses fresh, unfrozen dendritic cell vaccines to maintain optimal cellular function and target actual tumor antigens, distinguishing his method from clinics that freeze and store cells. Patients can see clear outcomes through MRI or CT scans, which may reveal shrinkage of glioblastoma cells, stabilization, or complete response to treatment.
Prof. Frank Gansauge's Revolutionary Approach: Combining Classical Treatments and Dendritic Cell Therapy For Cancer
Who is eligible for the treatment of glioblastoma with dendritic cells
The use of dendritic cell vaccines in the treatment of glioblastoma is a part of a comprehensive therapeutic regimen, but not a sole and independent technique. In most cases, it is carried out:
- After the surgical tumor removal, sometimes also after the completion of the postoperative chemotherapy. This is the best treatment option: during surgery, the doctor removes malignant tissue from the brain as much as possible, and dendritic cell vaccination stimulates an anti-cancer immune response and prevents recurrence in the future. Another advantage of this option is the ability to use the removed tumor cells for manufacturing an individual cancer vaccine.
- In case of the glioblastoma recurrence after successful completion of the initial treatment. In this clinical situation, doctors may repeat the surgical treatment of glioblastoma or go straight to systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy with dendritic cells. In the second case, tumor cells’ DNA is received through the novel method of liquid biopsy, or standard tumor antigens are used to make dendritic cell vaccines (these are proteins that are present in the tumors of all patients).
The course of immunization for glioblastoma involves the introduction of the vaccine right after surgery to boost the lifelong immune response. The procedure does not require admission to the hospital; it is performed on an outpatient basis or in a day hospital.
During the entire course of treatment of glioblastoma, the patient remains under the supervision of a general practitioner, neurologist, and oncologist. In addition to clinical examinations, imaging diagnostics may be required – in this case, computed tomography (CT) is performed.
Experience in administering the glioblastoma vaccine in children is currently limited. Doctors are conducting additional clinical studies to more accurately assess the safety and success rates of this type of treatment in pediatrics.
Step-by-Step Process of Dendritic Cell Therapy for Glioblastoma
Dendritic cell therapy for glioblastoma in German clinics follows a precise protocol divided into six main stages:
- The process starts with a thorough consultation at the clinic. During the initial medical assessment, your doctor will perform a complete examination and order laboratory tests. These results serve as a baseline for monitoring your treatment of glioblastoma.
- The second stage involves a minimally invasive procedure: a small amount of blood (about 150-200 ml) is collected from your peripheral vein. The procedure is quick, painless, and requires no recovery time. You can return to your normal activities immediately after the collection.
- Your blood cells then undergo laboratory processing in a GMP-certified laboratory under strict European quality standards. The lab specialists separate your blood components and isolate specific immune cells (monocytes) needed for the vaccine. Advanced processing techniques ensure sufficient cellular material even from a small blood sample.
- The dendritic vaccine creation stage involves training dendritic cells to recognize and fight cancer cells. The specialists carry out a liquid biopsy to find components of brain cancer cells in blood, use standard glioblastoma cells’ antigens, or fragments of the removed tumor tissue. The method is chosen based on your specific case, while finding fresh components of cancer cells in blood is typically the best option.
- The personalized vaccine administration. The vaccine is administered either intradermally or subcutaneously, all on an outpatient basis.
Throughout your treatment, you'll receive ongoing monitoring and support from a medical team including a general practitioner, neurologist, and oncologist. Regular clinical examinations and imaging diagnostics help track your immune response, and doctors adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal results.
Results of DC therapy for glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is a fairly aggressive type of cancer. With standard treatment, the average life expectancy after diagnosing the pathology is 15-17 months, and the 5-year survival rate does not exceed 5-10%. Clinical studies demonstrate that after dendritic cell vaccination, 60% of patients live longer than the average expected time, and every third patient is completely cured. Given the excellent tolerability of the drug, dendritic cell vaccination is indicated for almost all people with glioblastoma as an additional treatment method.
The main practical results of the dendritic cell vaccine administration:
- Prevention of glioblastoma recurrence after surgical removal of the primary tumor and a course of chemotherapy. During the operation, the surgeon cannot distinguish microscopic tumor metastases from healthy tissues, so some of the malignant cells remain in the body. Chemotherapy, which is used to suppress these cells, acts only during the course of treatment. Enhancing this standard regimen with GBM immunotherapy makes it possible to create a stable anti-cancer immune response that will control the development of new cancer cells for months and destroy them.
- Treatment of recurrent tumors. In many cases, people with recurrent glioblastoma are not candidates for surgical treatment. Also, recurrent tumors are often resistant to chemotherapy. In such cases, GBM immunotherapy using dendritic cells can inhibit the growth of the primary tumor and its metastases. [6]
In all cases, GBM immunotherapy demonstrates excellent results due to the ability of immune cells to freely move into the brain tissue and destroy cancer cells. Where surgical intervention is associated with a high risk of complications, and chemotherapeutic drugs are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, dendritic cell vaccination is still effective.
This systematic approach prioritizes both treatment effectiveness and comprehensive patient care. The total cost of treatment ranges from 20,000 to 38,000 euros, depending on the combination of additional services included in the program.
From Diagnosis to Hope: Patient Testimonials
The true measure of any medical treatment lies in the experiences of those who have undergone it. Two remarkable stories from patients who received dendritic cell therapy for glioblastoma depict both the treatment's effectiveness and the seamless nature of receiving care abroad.
The Story of Daria Rogers
After her initial diagnosis in January 2024, Daria Rogers and her husband Maurice actively sought alternative treatments, eventually discovering therapy with dendritic cells in Germany. Their decision to pursue treatment abroad proved life-changing, with remarkable results appearing just three months after therapy.
Daria's journey began with a devastating glioblastoma Type 4 diagnosis following emergency brain surgery after a seizure. Despite successful tumor removal, doctors in Ireland gave her the standard prognosis of 12-15 months to live. Refusing to accept this timeline, Maurice researched international options and found treatment with dendritic cells in Germany and Professor Gansauge's clinic through Booking Health's medical tourism service.
The couple acted swiftly, traveling to Germany just three weeks after Daria's surgery. The timing proved crucial, as Professor Gansauge emphasizes that earlier intervention typically yields better immune system response and outcomes. Daria underwent the dendritic cell procedure, which involved blood extraction, laboratory processing over one week, and reinjection of the personalized vaccine supplemented with vitamin infusions.
What followed exceeded their expectations. Daria tolerated her subsequent chemotherapy and radiation treatments remarkably well, maintaining energy levels throughout the demanding regimen. "I had energy to go to the clinic 5 days a week and actually tolerate the treatment without any major side effects," she recalls. Most significantly, her three-month post-treatment MRI scan showed complete clearance of cancer cells – an outcome rarely seen with standard treatments alone.
The positive results due to the work of the immune system continued. Follow-up scans, including one nearly a year after diagnosis, remained crystal clear with no evidence of cancer recurrence. Maurice notes an unexpected benefit: "I noticed a very obvious de-aging effect. Daria looked fresh and genuinely had de-aged, considering she was in the middle of chemotherapy and radiotherapy."
Daria's experience offers hope to other patients facing similar diagnoses. Her advice emphasizes urgency: "Go early, go very quickly. Don't lose hope and don't give up. There are treatments available now that are very different than three to five years ago."
Patient Daria Rogers, Ireland: "Dendritic Cell Therapy Gave Me Hope After Glioblastoma Diagnosis"
The Story of Aaron Nahani
Similarly inspiring is Aaron Nahani's experience with dendritic cell therapy. Diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in March 2024, Aaron and his family immediately sought treatment options beyond the standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy offered in their home country. When local oncologists dismissed dendritic cell therapy as unproven, the family decided to explore treatment with dendritic cells in Germany.
Acting quickly after diagnosis, Aaron underwent dendritic cell therapy before beginning his radiation and chemotherapy regimen. His case demonstrated a notable reaction of glioblastoma cells with brain tumor shrinkage following the procedure: MRI results showed a significant reduction in both low-grade and high-grade tumor areas. The low-grade portions shrank substantially, while the high-grade cancer cells region in the frontal lobe also decreased in size.
Beyond the great immune response and measurable tumor reduction, Aaron's family observed improved neurological function and overall well-being. Despite undergoing an intensive six-week radiation protocol with 51 sessions targeting a large brain area, Aaron maintained his speech, eating, and drinking abilities throughout the treatment of glioblastoma. His mother emphasizes the therapy's role in supporting him through the grueling standard treatments: "He maintained everything else and didn't have issues with speech or eating, so we all feel dendritic cell therapy definitely helped."
Both patients highlight the seamless treatment abroad, crediting the support they received in navigating the international healthcare system. From initial consultation to follow-up care, their experiences reflect the high standards of German medical facilities and the dedication of their healthcare teams. Perhaps most importantly, both stories underscore a crucial message for other GBM patients: innovative treatments like dendritic cell therapy can offer new hope and possibilities, especially when conventional approaches alone may not be sufficient.
Modern Cancer Treatment: Dendritic Cell Therapy with Booking Health
Undergoing vaccination with dendritic cells for glioblastoma in Germany
Treatment with dendritic cells in Germany has emerged as a leading destination offering specialized facilities and comprehensive support for international patients. The country's advanced medical infrastructure and experienced healthcare teams provide accessible pathways to this innovative treatment option.
Specialized Healthcare Facilities That Offer DC Vaccination
Treating glioblastoma with dendritic cells in Germany potentially provides benefits such as reduced symptoms and pain management through immune system stimulation. This innovative treatment plays a crucial role in harnessing the body's natural immune response by activating dendritic cells to recognize and target tumor cells, potentially leading to antibody production against the cancer.
Several specialized medical centers have established themselves as leaders in treatment with dendritic cells in Germany, including LDG - Laboratories Dr. Gansauge (the pioneer in this field), Praxisgemeinschaft für Zelltherapie Duderstadt GmbH & Co. KG, and the IOZK Immuno-Oncology Center in Cologne, Germany. In addition, ongoing research is exploring the potential of combining dendritic cell therapy with stem cell treatments to increase its efficacy in the fight against this aggressive brain cancer.
Treatment of glioblastoma with dendritic cells has not been included in the standard therapeutic protocol yet. The use of this method is limited due to the lack of skilled healthcare professionals and the lack of equipment for manufacturing vaccines in hospitals. If doctors in your country are not ready to offer you this effective type of treatment, then you can contact one of the specialized German clinics. Doctors in Germany offer patients with glioblastoma both complex treatment (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) and postoperative dendritic cell vaccination.
Going to The Foreign Hospital With Confidence
Navigating international healthcare during a glioblastoma diagnosis requires careful planning and reliable support. Professional medical coordination services can significantly ease this process, helping transform an overwhelming challenge into a manageable pathway to care.
Booking Health, with over 12 years of experience in medical tourism, understands the unique pressures facing glioblastoma patients, particularly the urgency that comes with this diagnosis. Their services provide end-to-end support, from initial clinic selection through post-treatment follow-up, allowing patients to focus on their health rather than administrative complexities.
Professional coordination services include:
- Clinic evaluation and selection based on individual medical histories
- Coordination of urgent appointments that respect treatment timelines
- Comprehensive logistical support, including visa applications and accommodation
- Interpreter services during medical consultations
- Insurance coordination and pricing transparency
- Documentation transfer between healthcare systems
- Post-treatment follow-up and medication procurement
For families like those of Daria Rogers and Aaron Nahani, having dedicated support meant they could concentrate on the medical aspects of treatment while trusted professionals handled operational details. The comprehensive approach helps transform what can be an intimidating process into a more confident journey toward potentially life-changing treatment, ensuring patients receive both the medical care they need and the peace of mind that comes with professional guidance.
FAQ About Glioblastoma Treatment with Dendritic Cells
Send request for treatmentGlioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer. Dendritic cell therapy involves using the patient's dendritic cells, modified to target glioblastoma cells, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack cancer cells, improving survival rates and quality of life.
Benefits include a personalized treatment approach, minimal side effects, and the potential to slow tumor progression. This therapy can offer hope to patients with glioblastoma, particularly when traditional cancer treatments have limited effectiveness.
Effectiveness is monitored through regular imaging tests, such as MRI, and clinical evaluations. Doctors assess tumor size, growth rate, and patient symptoms to determine the therapy's impact and make any necessary adjustments.
While generally safe, risks include mild side effects like fever and fatigue. Patients are closely monitored to manage any adverse effects promptly.
Dendritic cell therapy offers a targeted approach, potentially reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It can be used alongside traditional cancer treatments to enhance their effectiveness and provide a comprehensive cancer care plan.
Advanced immunotherapy treatment approaches for GBM include dendritic cell vaccines, which are personalized using the patient's tumor antigens, along with checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy.
Yes, brain cancer immunotherapy can effectively treat recurrent tumors. When traditional cancer treatments fail or patients aren't candidates for surgery, dendritic cell therapy can inhibit the growth and dissemination of glioblastoma cells through enhanced immune system activation.
You can receive dendritic cell treatment in Germany at specialized medical centers that offer comprehensive support for international patients, including treatment coordination, logistics support, and follow-up care through professional medical tourism services.
The therapy demonstrates excellent tolerability with minimal side effects compared to conventional cancer treatments. Most patients experience only mild reactions like fever or fatigue, making it suitable for almost all glioblastoma patients as an additional treatment method.
Dendritic cell therapy is an innovative immunotherapy that uses the patient's own immune cells to fight brain cancer. These dendritic cells are processed in the laboratory to recognize and target glioblastoma tumor cells, creating a personalized treatment approach.
According to clinical studies, 60% of patients receiving this therapy live longer than expected with standard treatment. The glioblastoma treatment results show that every third patient achieves a complete cure when combined with conventional therapies.
The administration protocol involves blood collection, laboratory processing over one week, and vaccine injection either intradermally or subcutaneously. The glioblastoma vaccine is administered on an outpatient basis without requiring hospitalization.
Yes, this therapy is designed to supplement standard oncology treatments. It's typically administered after surgical tumor removal and can be combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to enhance overall treatment effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
The treatment cost ranges from 20,000 to 38,000 euros, depending on the combination of services included. This cancer immunotherapy price covers the complete treatment protocol and represents the total Germany medical expenses for the therapy.
Leading top clinics for brain cancer treatment with dendritic cells in Germany include LDG - Laboratories Dr. Gansauge, Praxisgemeinschaft für Zelltherapie Duderstadt GmbH & Co. KG, and IOZK Immuno-Oncology Center in Cologne, all recognized immunotherapy hospitals in the country.
Choose treatment abroad and you will for sure get the best results!
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Bohdan Mykhalniuk. 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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Sources:
[1] PubMed Central. Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Review of the Treatment Options. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10487236/
[2] PubMed Central. Dendritic cell vaccination for glioblastoma multiforme patients: has a new milestone been reached? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10493805/
[3] PubMed Central. Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): An overview of current therapies and mechanisms of resistance. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8384724/
[4] ASTRO: American Society for Radiation Oncology. ASTRO Guideline on Radiation Therapy for Glioblastoma. https://www.astro.org/provider-resources/guidelines/glioblastoma-gl
[5] PubMed. The 2011 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22053831/
[6] Nature. Nonrandomised controlled trial in recurrent glioblastoma patients: the promise of autologous tumour lysate-loaded dendritic cell vaccination. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-023-02194-1
Read:
Brain cancer treatments in Germany
Innovative methods of brain cancer treatment in Germany
Dendritic cell therapy in cancer treatment in Germany - Vaccination against cancer
Article menu:
- Traditional vs. Innovative: Comparing Glioblastoma Treatment Approaches
- Who is eligible for the treatment of glioblastoma with dendritic cells
- Step-by-Step Process of Dendritic Cell Therapy for Glioblastoma
- Results of DC therapy for glioblastoma
- From Diagnosis to Hope: Patient Testimonials
- Undergoing vaccination with dendritic cells for glioblastoma in Germany
- FAQ About Glioblastoma Treatment with Dendritic Cells
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