Dendritic cell therapy -
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
Traditional treatment methods & modern immunotherapy
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of more than 60 different lymphomas that originate from cells of the immune system – mostly B cells or T cells. They differ greatly in growth rate, prognosis, and treatment options. Therefore, a precise diagnosis is crucial.
In addition to classical treatment methods, dendritic cell therapy (DZT) is increasingly being used as a complementary immunological strategy.
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Classic treatment options for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often the primary treatment. The standard procedure is:
CHOP scheme
Variants such as R-CHOP for B-cell lymphomas (with rituximab)
The goal is to destroy tumor cells systemically.
2. Immunotherapy with antibodies
For many forms of NHL, especially B-cell lymphomas, antibody therapies are now standard practice:
Rituximab (CD20 antibody)
Obinutuzumab
CAR-T cell therapy in therapy-refractory cases
These therapies specifically activate the immune system against lymphoma cells.
3. Targeted Therapy
These drugs target specific tumor mechanisms:
BTK inhibitors (ibrutinib, acalabrutinib)
BCL-2 inhibitors (venetoclax)
PI3K inhibitors
They are combined individually depending on the type of lymphoma.
4. Radiation therapy
In cases of locally confined lymphomas, radiation therapy can be curative or used to shrink the tumor.
5. Stem cell transplantation
Autologous or allogeneic – still an important option for aggressive or relapsed lymphomas.
Dendritic cell therapy (DZT) as an immunological approach in NHL
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease of the immune system. Therefore, immunological therapies are particularly relevant.
Dendritic cell therapy specifically activates T cells by loading the patient's own dendritic cells with tumor antigens and then injecting them.
Procedure of dendritic cell therapy
Blood draw from the patient
Isolation of monocytes
Cultivation in a GMP laboratory
Loading with tumor antigens (e.g., tumor lysate)
Maturation into activated dendritic cells
Return via intradermal injections
Goal: to precisely target the immune response to lymphoma cells.
Combinations of classical therapy and DZT
Immunological therapies can be combined in a biologically meaningful way, e.g.:
• DZT + Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy reduces tumor burden → DZT can strengthen immune surveillance.
• DZT + antibody therapies (e.g., rituximab)
Antibodies mark tumor cells → DZT can activate T cells against these structures.
• DZT + targeted therapies (BTK/BCL-2 inhibitors)
These drugs alter the tumor environment → DZT can complement the immune response.
• DZT + Infusion-based immune system restoration
(e.g. glutathione, resveratrol, artesunate, selenium)
→ stabilizes immune function during intensive therapies .
Goals of dendritic cell therapy in NHL
Activation of tumor-directed T cells
Strengthening of immune surveillance (Immune Surveillance)
Complementing other therapies
Supporting the immune system, which is itself part of the disease
Improvement of the general immune system during stressful therapy phases
Individual reactions vary depending on the lymphoma subtype, tumor burden, and immune status.
Dendritic cell therapy is a patient-specific immunological approach.
No promises of healing are made.