NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

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We and a few other companies are taking a different approach, based on the belief that existing dendritic cells in situ in a patient’s body are impaired, and their ability to receive and process the necessary signals is blocked. Under this view, if the signaling is blocked, then no matter how “loud” the signal may be, it will not get through and will not achieve the activation needed. Our DCVax-Technology unblocks and re-establishes the flow of signals through delivery of a fresh set of newly matured, activated and educated dendritic cells, which the tumor has not had a chance to paralyze or impair to block the flow of signals. Source: NWBIO

Turning the tumors' immunosupressive techniques on their head:

What's interesting is that one of the ways with which NWBIO improves the dendritic cells ex vivo is by actually reducing the DC's ability to respond to the tumor's siren song claiming that it (the tumor) is supposedly normal. It's like a teenager wearing noise canceling headphones so he can get his homework done despite noisy distractions.

[P]artial maturation of the immature dendritic cells down regulates cytokine receptors on the surface of the cell rendering them less sensitive or responsive to any [tumor induced] immunosuppressive effects of cytokines present in the intratumoral space and provides for [dendritic] cells that can efficiently process tumor antigens present within the intratumoral space. -- DCVax-Direct patent

In other words, while the tumor environment tries to "paralyze" the dendritic cell from reacting appropriately against the tumor, NWBIO "deafens" the dendritic cell to prevent it from being "paralyzed" by the tumor environment.

This is just one of many ways the dendritic cell is improved by Northwest Biotherapeutics.