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12/13/2006: "The Impetus for Travel"
Now that we are home, I reflect on the reason we planned this trip to Germany. And since I have a little more first-hand knowledge, I thought I might share more about Dendritic Cell Therapy.
If you have never heard of dendritic cells, you are not alone. First identified in 1868 by German anatomist Paul Langerhans, they were not “rediscovered” until 1973 when scientists at Rockefeller University recognized them as part of the immune system. And it wasn’t until 1992 that scientists in France were able to cultivate them from bone marrow stem cells.
Rare, because dendritic cells only represent about 0.2% of our white blood cells. Young white blood cells called monocytes can grow to be either dendritic cells or macrophages. Valuable, because these cells are the key to our defense system. They capture foreign invading microbes or viruses, convert them to antigens or peptides, and present them on their surface. Once in the lymph nodes and spleen, antibody making B-cells and killer T-cells get educated by the dendritic cells as to what they should be looking for. This is how vaccines for the flu and tetanus work.
The work with dendritic cells and cancer comes from years of AIDS research. My doctor in Germany spent quite a few years working at UCSF trying to figure out HIV. Seems the HIV virus can hide in a dendritic cell and wipe out T-cells causing AIDS.
In my case, they drew blood and isolated the small percentage of dendritic cells from my white blood cells. Then they introduced an antigen that would be present in a cancer cell. The dendritic cell chops it up and presents it on its service, thus considered activated. Prior to being injected with this, I was told that my serum contained 0.21% dendritic cells with 98% activation. Half of the shot went into the vein in my arm and a ¼ into each shoulder. The hope is that my immune system will now ramp up a response to the cancer tumors in my body. The procedure needs to be repeated each month for 6 months and then every six months for a couple of years. Guess I will be a frequent flyer.
While talking with the doctors in Cologne, I was told that about 75% of all cancer patients in Germany are receiving Mistletoe injections. Mistletoe extract has been shown to kill cancer cells and boost a patient’s immune system (not FDA approved). Not being one to pass up an alternative cancer treatment, I brought home a two-month supply. Unfortunately, that means I have to inject myself twice a day with a needle that looks like an insulin shot. Time to empathize with some diabetics out there. Oh, and since it is the season, if I am under the (influence of) Mistletoe, does it still warrant a kiss?
Welcome Home!!! Hope to see you before the Holidays. I bet Alex was glad sto see you guys.Your pictures are amazing and can't wait to hear more details.