What are Dendritic Cells - Dendritic cells (DC) are a highly specialized subtype of white blood cells with a unique function. DC can pick up foreign cells or cell particles including cancer cells with the help of tentacles like structures called “dendrites”. Within the DC the cancer cells are destroyed and several pieces of the foreign material (antigens) are displayed on the cell surface of DC. The exhibition of antigen on the surface of the DC is recognized by other cellular effector cells that recognize and destroy tumor cells displaying similar material as expressed by DC. In this way, DC “tutor” the effector cells what type of cells are harmful for the body while the search and the destruction of tumor cells are mediated by specific killer cells.
In simple language the dendritic cells are antigen presenting cells which themselves have a capacity to eliminate tumor cells and also stimulate the patient’s natural immune system to destroy the cancer.
What is Dendritic Cell Therapy - Dendritic Cell Therapy is derived from patient’s own blood cells (autologous) which are separated from the cancer patient and cultured in a specialized and sophisticated lab in the presence of patient’s own tumour tissue to produce the matured dendritic cells. The matured DCs are particularly specific to the patient’s tumor and mimic the natural defence mechanism. They recognize the cancer antigens and destroy them when injected back into the same patient.
It is different from the conventional therapeutic modalities like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as it is highly customised and tailor-made for individual patients and it amplifies the patient’s natural body defence mechanism.
Since it is completely autologous it is safe and does not produce toxicity which is generally associated with other therapeutic agents.
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