Dendritic Cell Therapy a form of Immunotherapy

Posted on: October 27, 2023 *Updated on: May 27, 2024

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Dendritic cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that has generated a lot of interest for its potential in treating various cancers, including mesothelioma. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. They are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that capture, process, and present antigens to T cells, thereby activating them to target and eliminate pathogenic or malignant cells.

Challenges in Mesothelioma:

1. Low T-cell Infiltration: One of the problems in mesothelioma is the low T-cell infiltration into tumors. This could be due to the immunosuppressive tumor environment or other factors that inhibit T-cell trafficking to the tumor sites.
2. Low Mutational Burden: Mesothelioma tumors often have low mutational burdens, resulting in fewer tumor-associated antigens. This makes it challenging for the immune system to recognize and target these cells.
3. Immunosuppressive Environment: Mesothelioma and other tumors often create an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which further inhibits the ability of immune cells to target and kill the cancer cells.

How Dendritic Cell Therapy Works:

1. Harvesting and Maturation: Dendritic cells are typically harvested from the patient or generated in the lab. They are then exposed to tumor antigens and other factors that cause them to mature.
2. Activation: Mature dendritic cells are capable of presenting antigens more effectively to T cells. These dendritic cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body.
3. T-cell Activation: Once inside the body, these mature dendritic cells present antigens to T cells, activating them and enabling them to target cancer cells more effectively.
4. Combination Therapies: Dendritic cell therapy is sometimes combined with other forms of treatment like chemotherapy or other immunotherapies to increase its effectiveness.
5. Personalization: Because the dendritic cells and tumor antigens can be patient-specific, this therapy can be highly personalized, potentially increasing its effectiveness.

Clinical Trials and Future Outlook:

Several clinical trials are underway to study the effectiveness of dendritic cell therapy for mesothelioma and other cancers. While promising, more research is needed to understand the full potential and limitations of this approach. One of the key areas under investigation is how to optimize the therapy for individual patients, including how to overcome the immunosuppressive environment of tumors.

In summary, dendritic cell therapy offers a promising avenue for treating mesothelioma and other challenging cancers, although more research is required to confirm its effectiveness and optimal protocols. If you are interested in therapy talk to your health care team for further information