Northwest Biotherapeutics

In this variation of the DCVax line, the tumour is removed through surgery, and some of the tumour presented to the aforementioned dendritic cells for the scavenging of tumor proteins. These dendritic cells, laden with tumour protein antigens, are then injected under the skin near lymph nodes. The dendritic cells then travel to the local lymph node where the dendritic cells present the proteins to the T- and B-cells, as previously described.

These dendritic cells are grown in the lab from stem cells extracted from the patient's blood. Only a sugar-cube-sized sample of the tumour is needed for subsequent presentation to the dendritic cells. The tumour sample is first broken down into constituent proteins using a caustic process known as lysing (thus the L in the name DCVax-L). After the resulting "tumor lysate" is presented to the dendritic cells, they are ready for subcutaneous injection near the selected lymph node(s). (There are approximately 500 lymph nodes in the body; most are peripheral, some are internal.)

DCVax-Direct

DCVax-Direct, is the latest addition to Northwest Bio's DCVax line. It does not require removal of the tumour, making it ideal for inoperable tumours, if proven effective. It is currently in phase I testing on patients with inoperable tumours of a very large range of cancer types.

In the procedure, dendritic cells are developed as in DCVax-L, prior to antigen exposure/"pulsing". However, the subsequent exposure to tumour antigens does not occur in vitro but in vivo: The prepared dendritic cells, along with adjuncts, are injected directly into one or more tumours.

At least two adjuncts are added to the dendritic cells. One adjunct excites a general aspect of the body's immune response; another excites a more tumor-specific response. This mixture is then injected into the patient's tumour. There, the dendritic cells are expected to scavenge tumour proteins, then find their way to the local lymph node for presentation of the tumour protein antigens to T-cells and B-cells. The activated T- and B-cells then travel to the tumour and kill tumour cells. Ruptured tumour cells release more mutant proteins that are picked up by dendritic cells and other immune cells and are carried to the lymph nodes to excite still more B- and T-cells. Theoretically, this cycle repeats, accelerates, then levels off at a high but safe level. The phase 1 trial that finished enrollment in July 2014 seeks to confirm this. As of July 2026, Northwest Bio reports phase I and II trials still under way.

DCVax-L and DCVax-Direct, if effective, could address virtually all forms of solid tumor cancers, operable and inoperable, with the possible exception of prostate cancer.

Products

DCVax-L: As of March 2025, phase III trials for treatment of glioblastoma completed, and Northwest Bio had submitted a marketing authorization application in the United Kingdom, as yet unapproved.

DCVax-Direct: As of 2026, this therapy to treat inoperable solid tumours is in phase I and II trials in the US.

DCVax-Prostate: Reportedly finished phase II trials and approved for phase III trials in the US; listed as "withdrawn" on ClinicalTrials.gov.