Dendritic Cell Therapy

Dendritic Cell Therapy has been a large area of research over the past years. Dendritic cells, as I have learned in class, have the potential to be antigen presenting cells (APCs). APCs play a major role in both innate and acquired immunity. Many researchers have begun using dendritic cell therapy in cases of auto-immune diseases in the hopes of reversing the body’s response to attack itself. Auto-immune diseases typically occur due to cytotoxic T cells attacking “self” cells. Researchers have been hoping that introducing dendritic cell therapy, APCs that are trained effectively may lead to a reversal of such diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis and different forms of cancer. In an article reviewing immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, researchers have stated that “the magnitude and persistence of a T cell response against a tumor is dependent on initial priming by antigen-presenting cells. Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) have been recognized as critical mediators of antigen-priming and T cell activity…” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1535610820300970). It is therefore clear that dendritic cell therapy could work against auto-immune disorders and many forms of cancer.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that leads to the body attacking its own myelin. Myelin surrounds the axons of nerves and aids in movement. People who suffer from this disease can die at early ages if not given adequate therapy. Many researchers believe that STEM cell or dendritic cell therapy may help patients suffering from MS. Glatiramer acetate is a medication that acts as an immunomodulator, thus is a form of immunotherapy. Researchers in the study Glatiramer Acetate Immune Modulates B-cell Antigen Presentation In Treatment Of MS found that “GA has been shown to reduce the relapse rate and progression of neurologic disability in MS” (https://nn.neurology.org/content/7/3/e698).

I know someone relatively close that has Multiple Sclerosis. He unfortunately developed the disease awhile ago and it has completely wrecked him. I am not sure he even uses a walker anymore or if he is permanently wheelchair bound at this point. He received STEM cell therapy a few years ago and unfortunately it did not seem to work. This was a last resort option and unfortunately there are none left. I think that STEM cell therapy or dendritic cell therapy is great in theory, but I do not believe it works the way researchers wish it would. Different forms of therapy sound great and may work in labs, but that does not always mean it will work on humans. I have heard stories about STEM cell therapy working in some cases, but unfortunately it does not work in all. I think there will need to be much more immunotherapy research done to see effectiveness in auto-immune diseases.