Double-Loaded Dendritic Cell Therapy
Your immune system is built to protect you. Every day, it works behind the scenes — detecting, responding to, and eliminating threats before you even know they’re there.
But cancer is different. It can learn how to hide, slipping past your immune defenses and continuing to grow.
Immunocine’s double-loaded dendritic cell therapy is a cutting-edge immunotherapy that teaches your immune system how to recognize and fight cancer more effectively.
Available now at Immunocine’s cancer center in Mexico while clinical trials continue in the U.S. this personalized treatment is being used in patients with advanced-stage solid tumors, including those who have exhausted other options.
How Is This Different from Other Dendritic Cell Therapies?
Dendritic cells are the “messengers” of the immune system — their job is to detect threats and help the immune system respond.
Some cancer therapies try to use dendritic cells to activate the immune system, but many don’t trigger a strong enough response. That’s because it’s not enough to show the cells what to fight — they need to be activated in a very specific way.
That’s what sets this therapy apart.
Through a process called double loading, dendritic cells are programmed with cancer-specific information in two key pathways at once. This “dual signal” flips a biological switch — telling the immune system, loud and clear, to take action.
When this happens:
- The immune system mounts a targeted attack on the cancer
- Immune memory may form, helping the body recognize and respond to future cancer cells
- The entire treatment process more closely mimics how the body naturally learns to fight disease
This approach is:
- Patented and exclusive to Immunocine Cancer Center
- Based on over 15 years of scientific research and clinical development
- Delivered using ultrasound-guided injections near lymph nodes (not IVs)
- Timed deliberately, with spaced dosing to build immune memory
It’s not just a variation on existing methods — it’s a fundamentally different way to activate your immune system.
From the Lab to the Clinic: Dr. Matt Halpert on a Breakthrough Cancer Therapy
What Types of Cancer Is It Used For? This therapy is currently being used in a range of solid tumor cancers, including:
The Treatment Process — Step by Step
1. Case Review & Approval
Not every patient is a fit — and that’s intentional. Safety comes first. The medical team at Immunocine will carefully review your case, including your latest scans, labs, and treatment history. About 1 in 5 applicants are approved.
2. Tumor Biopsy + Blood Collection
Once approved, you’ll travel to Immunocine’s center. The team will collect a fresh tumor biopsy and a large blood draw to isolate your immune cells. These samples are used to create your personalized therapy.
3. Double Loading in the Lab
In a certified cleanroom lab, scientists create dendritic cells from your blood and double-load them with information from your tumor tissue. This step is crucial — and unique. It activates the cells in a way that tells the immune system, “this is dangerous, attack it.”
4. Ultrasound-Guided Injections
The activated cells are injected next to your lymph nodes, not into your bloodstream. This is a key detail — it allows the dendritic cells to start the immune response in the place your body naturally launches its defenses.
5. A Phased Immune Activation
Rather than giving all injections at once, the therapy is delivered over a six-week period with three separate rounds, spaced about two weeks apart. This mirrors how the immune system naturally builds lasting memory.
What Side Effects Might Occur?
Because this therapy uses your own immune system — and doesn’t rely on chemotherapy or radiation — the side effect profile is generally mild.
Some patients report:
- Fatigue
- Temporary fever or chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Localized tumor pressure or pain (a sign of immune activity)
These are considered on-target effects — signs that your immune system is responding.
Unlike traditional treatments, there’s:
- No hair loss
- No systemic toxicity
- No broad immunosuppression
What to Expect
- Week 1: Biopsy, baseline scans, bloodwork, and immune profiling
- Week 2: Lab processing of your personalized cells
- Weeks 3, 5, 7: Dendritic cell injections, each followed by a brief recovery period
How to Access This Therapy?
Because this treatment is only available at Immunocine Cancer Center, access typically involves:
- Submitting your medical history for review
- A call with a patient coordinator and medical team
- If approved, coordinating travel and care with Immunocine’s team
If you’re interested in learning whether this therapy may be appropriate for your case:
Speak with a Heal Navigator Advisor
For many people, a cancer diagnosis brings more questions than answers.
Double-loaded dendritic cell therapy isn’t a guaranteed solution — but it’s a meaningful option rooted in immunology. It may offer your immune system the insight it’s been missing, and a chance to do what it was always designed to do: protect you.
Curious if you're eligible for this treatment? Talk with a Heal Navigator advisor today — no cost, no pressure. Start Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The base cost of treatment at Immunocine is approximately $110,000 USD. This includes the full program: biopsy, immune profiling, dendritic cell collection and processing, the double-loading protocol, three injections, and transportation to scheduled appointments in Cancun.
Additional services or complications may result in extra charges. Prices are subject to local taxes and regulations under Mexican law.
While not covered by insurance, some patients explore financing options.
No — this therapy is currently only available at Immunocine Cancer Center or through select clinical trials. It’s not offered at general hospitals or other oncology centers.
If you’re exploring whether this treatment may be right for you, Heal Navigator can help you understand eligibility and next steps. You can get in touch with us here.
No. Double-loaded dendritic cell therapy can often be integrated into an existing treatment plan. It doesn’t block or interfere with chemotherapy, radiation, or other alternative therapies. For many patients, it becomes one more tool in their cancer care strategy. Each case is reviewed individually to ensure safety and compatibility.
