Germany offers dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer
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- How Dendritic Cells Work and Their Effects in Pancreatic Cancer
- How dendritic cell therapy for pancreatic cancer is performed
- Results of clinical trials of dendritic cell therapies
- Where to treat pancreatic cancer with a dendritic cell vaccine
- Real Treatment Experiences With Pancreatic Cancer in Germany
- Step-by-Step Guide to Dendritic Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
- Frequently asked questions of our patients
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive tumor of the digestive system. One of the reasons for the low effectiveness of treatment for pancreatic tumors is the weak anti-tumor immune response. However, thanks to the groundbreaking discovery of dendritic cells by American immunologist Ralph Steinman – work that earned him the 2011 Nobel Prize in Medicine – we now have powerful new treatment options. Let's talk about the administration of dendritic cells at stages 1-3 and at the advanced stages of pancreatic cancer, what problems they solve, success rates, and the results of using dendritic cell vaccines in preclinical and clinical trials.
How Dendritic Cells Work and Their Effects in Pancreatic Cancer
Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer faces challenges, as most treatments that work well for other types of cancer prove ineffective here. Traditional approaches, including cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cell therapy, often fail to provide the desired results. Recent research has revealed why: the root cause lies in a deficiency of dendritic cell activation.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized immune cells that act as the body's natural defense coordinators. They recognize antigens (targets for attack) and present them to T-cells, essentially "teaching" the immune system to identify and attack specific threats – in this case, pancreatic malignant neoplasms. However, research with laboratory animals has revealed that the microenvironment of pancreatic tumors contains critically low numbers of dendritic cells. For comparison, lung cancer, which responds well to immunotherapy, shows 80 times more dendritic cells in its microenvironment. Moreover, the few dendritic cells present in pancreatic cancer are less functional and positioned farther from the tumor than in other cancers.
The vaccine therapy for pancreatic cancer success rate is rather promising. This approach effectively "awakens" the human immune system to attack the tumor. Clinical studies demonstrate that introducing dendritic cells helps stabilize the disease and reduces metastasis risk. This breakthrough could transform the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer, a disease that historically relapses even after tumor removal.
In both laboratory animal studies and clinical trials, dendritic cells have demonstrated multiple beneficial effects across different pancreatic cancer stages:
- They enhance the natural anti-tumor immune response, functioning as a direct cancer immunotherapy
- They boost the effectiveness of other immunotherapeutic agents
- They increase tumor susceptibility to radiation therapy
The impact on radiation therapy is particularly noteworthy. Traditional radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer typically shows limited efficacy due to insufficient stimulation of antitumor immunity during cancer cell decay and antigen release into the bloodstream. Dendritic cells address this limitation by restoring radiation therapy's immunostimulatory properties, making it significantly more effective.
How dendritic cell therapy for pancreatic cancer is performed
In the realm of oncology, the clinical outcomes and success rates of innovative therapies often correlate with a marked improvement in life expectancy. Autologous (own) dendritic cells are used to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. For DSc activation, doctors use antigens of a patient’s tumor (liquid biopsy or tumor tissue) or lysate of allogeneic (donor) dendritic cells, which contains antigens common to different tumors.
Autologous cells are more commonly used. Monocytes (a type of leukocytes) for dendritic cell production are harvested from the patient's blood by leukapheresis and are treated with tumor antigens. The result is a personalized vaccine that is administered intravenously. Several tens of millions of dendritic cells are usually used per injection.
To better understand survival rates and clinical evidence supporting dendritic cell therapy, we spoke with Professor Frank Gansauge, a renowned expert who has been working with dendritic cell immunotherapy for over 22 years. As the head of a leading German clinic specializing in this treatment, Professor Gansauge combines classical methods with innovative approaches, focusing particularly on dendritic cell therapy for cancer treatment.
Expert Insights from Prof. Gansauge: The Power of Dendritic Cell Therapy in Cancer Treatment
Results of clinical trials of dendritic cell therapies
Clinical trials on the efficacy of DCT for cancer have been conducted at many medical centers over the past 10 years. For example, the study "Evaluation of the efficacy of dendritic cell therapy (LANEX-DC®) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer" contains the results of a single-center analysis by Frank Gansauge and Bertram Poh (07.2022). The results state that the therapy was well tolerated and no serious side effects were observed. Median relapse-free survival and median survival rate (months) were 16.9 months and 29.4 months, respectively. The therapy increased five-year survival by 14.3% and 17.9%, respectively. The conclusion is that adjuvant treatment with dendritic cells (LANEX-DC®) is highly effective and increases both median relapse-free survival and median survival.
The REACtiVe (Rotterdam PancrEAtic Cancer Vaccination) trial used dendritic cells in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. They were given after removal of the pancreatic tumor, in addition to standard therapy. Patient enrollment was completed in 2020, so there is no long-term survival data. All that is known is that over a follow-up period of 15 to 32 months (average 25 months, more than two years), 70% of patients showed no signs of recurrence.
Another study, published in 2017 in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, was conducted on patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Researchers used dendritic cells in addition to standard chemotherapy. There were also groups of patients who received only dendritic cells, only chemotherapy, or only symptomatic therapy. It turned out that overall and relapse-free survival rates were much better in the dendritic cell plus chemotherapy group. Moreover, double administration of dendritic cells was more effective compared to a single treatment.
Where to treat pancreatic cancer with a dendritic cell vaccine
Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in Germany offers an alternative approach to treating pancreatic cancer, potentially improving prognosis and managing symptoms such as pain. This innovative treatment has shown remarkable safety profiles, with virtually no side effects and excellent tolerability among patients. German medical centers have accumulated extensive successful experience in this field, consistently demonstrating positive outcomes in clinical practice.
Leading German clinics offering dendritic cell therapy:
- LDG - Laboratories Dr. Gansauge, Berg – over two decades of experience in dendritic cell therapy, pioneering research, numerous successful clinical trials particularly in gastrointestinal cancers, and standardized treatment protocols that have set industry benchmarks
- IOZK Immuno-Oncology Center, Cologne – comprehensive immunotherapy programs combining various innovative approaches with dendritic cell therapy
- Praxisgemeinschaft für Zelltherapie Duderstadt – personalized treatment approaches and individualized therapy programs
The cost of dendritic cell therapy in Germany ranges from 20,000 to 38,000 euros, depending on the specific treatment protocol and combination with other therapeutic methods. This includes the complete treatment cycle, from initial consultation to follow-up care.
German medical institutions have demonstrated the therapy's effectiveness through numerous clinical trials. The therapy continues to show promising results in both early and advanced stages of pancreatic cancer, particularly when integrated into comprehensive treatment programs.
Real Treatment Experiences With Pancreatic Cancer in Germany
Patient experiences provide valuable insights and hope for those considering pancreatic cancer treatment in Germany. One such meaningful story comes from Robert Franklin Smith and his family, who traveled from the United States to Germany in 2024 seeking advanced treatment options for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis.
Mr. Smith's journey began after undergoing surgery for liver metastasis of a pancreatic tumor. While continuing chemotherapy, his family discovered additional therapeutic possibilities available in Germany. This led them to Dr. Gansauge at LDG Laboratories in Berg, Germany, where they explored dendritic cell therapy as a complementary treatment approach.
Their experience at the German medical facility proved remarkable. Mrs. Smith recounts how their medical tourism facilitator ensured a smooth treatment process. She particularly noted Dr. Gansauge's outstanding medical expertise and warm personality, which helped make their treatment journey more comfortable.
The Smith family's experience exemplifies how German medical facilities successfully integrate innovative therapies with traditional treatment methods to provide comprehensive care for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Most importantly, this treatment offered them a new avenue of hope – one that hadn't been available to them in the United States.
Step-by-Step Guide to Dendritic Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
If you're considering dendritic cell therapy for pancreatic cancer, here's a clear guide to help you understand the process and necessary steps:
- Prepare your medical documents for initial assessment – you'll need your recent diagnosis details, imaging results, and treatment history.
- Select a treatment center in Germany that specializes in dendritic cell therapy. Consider factors like the clinic's experience, success rates, and treatment costs. Booking Health can help analyze treatment options and secure better rates through direct hospital partnerships.
- Wait for your personalized treatment protocol development.
- Plan for about a 2-week stay in Germany. Consider language assistance needs for effective communication with medical staff.
- Begin your treatment with the initial consultation and examination. Your doctor will collect blood samples for further dendritic cell cultivation, which takes about one week.
- Return to the clinic for vaccine administration once your personalized dendritic cells are ready. Your doctor will explain what to expect.
- Receive your detailed follow-up care plan, including recommendations for future examinations.
- Stay in touch with your treatment center for ongoing support and monitoring, Booking Health will help with this. Regular communication helps ensure optimal outcomes and timely adjustments to your care plan if needed.
Working with a professional medical tourism provider helps streamline treatment by offering expert guidance in clinic selection, securing urgent appointments when needed, and accessing the most favorable treatment packages. Booking Health ensures clear communication with your medical team, provides comprehensive support throughout your treatment journey, and helps obtain better pricing through direct hospital partnerships.
Frequently asked questions of our patients
This therapy uses the patient’s dendritic cells, which are modified to recognize pancreatic cancer cells. These modified cells are then injected back into the patient, enhancing the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.
It offers a personalized and targeted treatment approach, with fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies. This method can be especially beneficial for patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who have limited treatment options.
Success rates vary based on individual patient factors and cancer stage. However, clinical trials have shown promising results, with some patients experiencing significant tumor reduction and prolonged survival.
Most side effects are mild, such as fever and fatigue. Severe side effects are rare but can occur, necessitating close monitoring during treatment.
Patients can access this therapy through specialized clinics and medical centers in Germany. Booking Health can assist with the entire process, including consultations, travel arrangements, and treatment coordination.
The cost of dendritic cell therapy for pancreatic cancer in Germany typically ranges from €17,000 to €38,000, which includes diagnostic workup, production of personalized vaccine, and its administration with monitoring.
If you need detailed program description for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer and cost, you will find it here.
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. 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!
Our editorial policy, which details our commitment to accuracy and transparency, is available here. Click this link to review our policies.
Sources:
National Center for Biotechnology
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