Helping the Immune
System Recognize.
Respond. Fight.
Dendritic Cell + Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Immunotherapy
Cancer treatment is evolving beyond targeting the tumor alone. Modern cellular immunotherapy explores ways to harness immune cells and support their ability to recognize and act against cancer cells. DC-CIK therapy combines two important cellular components — Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) Cells — as a cell-based immunotherapy approach investigated across several types of solid tumors.
What Is DC-CIK Therapy?
Two distinct immune-cell populations, each with a defined biological role, prepared and administered together as a single cell-based immunotherapy.
Dendritic Cells
The Immune System’s Messengers
Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells that help the immune system recognize foreign or abnormal targets and coordinate an immune response.
CIK Cells
Immune Effector Cells
Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) cells are immune effector cells generated and expanded under controlled laboratory conditions. They have cytotoxic activity and can act against susceptible tumor cells.
How Does DC-CIK Work?
From cellular preparation to cellular immunotherapy — every step matters.
The Journey Begins With Immune Cells
A suitable cellular source is identified according to the treatment protocol. The cells undergo controlled laboratory processing before they are prepared for therapeutic use.
Immune Cells Are Carefully Prepared
The cellular material is processed under controlled laboratory conditions to obtain and prepare the relevant immune-cell populations.
Preparing the Immune System's Messengers
Dendritic cells play a central role in antigen presentation. They help process and present antigenic information to immune cells, contributing to the coordination of an immune response.
Activating the Immune Effector Cells
CIK cells are generated and expanded under controlled laboratory conditions. These cells develop cytotoxic activity and can act against susceptible target cells.
Growing the Cellular Product
The relevant immune cells are expanded according to the treatment protocol. Before administration, the cellular product undergoes defined quality and safety checks appropriate to the laboratory and clinical protocol.
The Prepared Cells Return to the Patient
Once the cellular product has met the required release criteria, it is administered to the patient under medical supervision.
The Cellular Journey Continues
Following infusion, the administered cells enter the patient's circulation and interact with the immune environment.
Two Cellular Components.
Complementary Roles.
Dendritic Cells
Recognize & Coordinate
Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting immune cells that help process and present antigenic information and coordinate immune responses.
Cellular
Immunotherapy
Approach
CIK Cells
Act as Immune Effectors
CIK cells are generated immune effector cells with cytotoxic activity that have been investigated for their ability to act against susceptible target cells.
Recognition Meets Effector Activity
DC-CIK
A combined cell-based
immunotherapy approach
What Happens After the Cells Are Infused?
- 01 Cells enter the bloodstream
- 02 Immune cells interact with their surrounding environment
- 03 Dendritic-cell activity contributes to immune recognition and coordination
- 04 CIK cells provide immune effector activity against susceptible target cells
The biological response varies between individuals and depends on factors including cancer type, disease stage, tumor biology, previous treatment and overall health.
Cellular Immunotherapy Can Be Part of a Larger Treatment Strategy
Cancer treatment is rarely about one treatment alone. Depending on the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan, cellular immunotherapy may be investigated or used alongside other cancer-directed treatments. DC-CIK has been studied in combination with treatments such as chemotherapy in several solid tumors.
The goal is not to replace appropriate cancer treatment — but to explore how cellular immunotherapy may complement an individualized treatment plan.
What Does Research Say About DC-CIK?
DC-CIK has been investigated in clinical studies involving different solid tumors.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,443 patients found that DC-CIK-based immunotherapy was associated with improvements in overall survival, progression-free survival, overall response rate and disease-control rate compared with control treatments.
The authors also emphasized the need for further research to optimize treatment strategies and identify which patients are most likely to benefit.
Which Cancers Have Been Studied?
Lung Cancer
Gastric Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Liver Cancer
Breast Cancer
Renal Cancer
Other Solid Tumors
Evidence strength varies between cancer types, and treatment suitability must be determined by the treating cancer specialist.
Potential Benefits of DC-CIK Therapy
Support Anti-Tumor Immune Activity
Providing activated immune effector cells.
Complement Cancer Treatment
Investigated alongside conventional cancer-directed treatments.
Influence Immune Response
Through interactions between dendritic cells, CIK cells and the immune environment.
Explore Disease Control
Investigated in selected patients in clinical research.
Personalized Treatment Approach
Treatment suitability depends on the individual clinical situation.
Who May Be Considered for DC-CIK Therapy?
Every Patient Is Different
DC-CIK therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. A cancer specialist reviews the patient's complete clinical picture before determining whether cellular immunotherapy may be appropriate.
Request a Specialist ConsultationSafety Monitoring Is Part of Cellular Therapy
Possible effects associated with cellular immunotherapy are monitored closely throughout treatment.
The patient's overall treatment experience can also be influenced by other treatments being given at the same time, particularly chemotherapy.
From Cell Source to Cellular Immunotherapy
Source
Identifying the cellular source per protocol.
Cell Processing
Controlled laboratory preparation begins.
DC & CIK Preparation
Each cell population is prepared distinctly.
Cell Expansion
Populations are expanded per protocol.
Quality & Safety Assessment
Defined release criteria are applied.
Cell Infusion
Administered under medical supervision.
Clinical Monitoring
Ongoing observation and follow-up.
The Future of Cellular Medicine: Preserving Cells for Tomorrow
Today, umbilical cord blood is recognized as a valuable source of cells for transplantation and other developing areas of cellular medicine. After birth, cord blood that might otherwise be discarded can be collected under appropriate protocols, processed and cryopreserved in specialized banks. Depending on the type and quality of cells preserved, their compatibility and the medical indication, banked cord-blood-derived cells may potentially be used in future therapeutic applications.
Some cells may have value far beyond the moment in which they are collected.