Department Introduction

Neurosurgery | Our Speciality

:::

Our Speciality

China Medical University Hospital | Neurosurgery

Cancer Immunotherapy: DC Vaccines and CAR T-Cell Therapy

Integrated assessment of dendritic cell vaccines and genetically engineered T-cell therapies, tailored to tumor characteristics, treatment indications, and individual risks, with clinical follow-up and safety monitoring.

Cellular Immunotherapy   |   Multidisciplinary Care   |   Safety Monitoring

Neurosurgery and cellular immunotherapy clinical care

Cancer Immunotherapy: Dendritic Cell Vaccines (DC Vaccines) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR T-Cell Therapy)

01   Core Expertise

We provide integrated assessment of dendritic cell antigen presentation and genetically engineered T-cell therapies, tailoring immunotherapy strategies to tumor characteristics, treatment indications, and individual risk profiles while balancing potential clinical benefits with careful safety monitoring.

02   Key Features

For cancers that have recurred or have responded poorly to standard treatment, we assess whether cellular immunotherapy is appropriate, as well as its potential benefits and risks. Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines present tumor antigens to activate the patient’s own immune response, while CAR T-cell therapy modifies T cells so they can recognize specific tumor antigens. These therapies differ in both their mechanisms and the situations in which they may be used. Care is coordinated across pathology and molecular testing, treatment selection, cell preparation and infusion, response follow-up, and toxicity monitoring. Patients receive care from a multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in oncology, hematology, and cellular therapy, as well as pharmacists and nursing staff.

Immune Activation

Dendritic Cell (DC) Vaccines

Present tumor antigens to activate the patient's own immune response.

Engineered T Cells

CAR T-Cell Therapy

Modify T cells to recognize specific tumor antigens; indications and treatment settings differ from DC vaccines.

Coordinated Care

Monitoring and Follow-Up

Integrate testing, treatment selection, cell preparation and infusion, response monitoring, and toxicity assessment.

03   Clinical Outcomes

15Participants in a Phase I CAR001 safety evaluationRecurrent malignant glioma; five dose-escalation cohorts. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed in this evaluation.
Day 196Complete response in one malignant glioma participantIn an advanced case after unsuccessful second-line treatment, a complete response was observed on Day 196 and sustained through Day 442.
96 daysPartial response in one colorectal cancer participantOne participant with colorectal cancer had a partial response after CAR001 treatment, lasting 96 days.

These are Phase I and individual-participant observations described in the department's materials; they should not be interpreted as an overall response rate or evidence of routine treatment approval.

04   Selected Research Publications

2025 | Medicine (Baltimore)

Postoperative dendritic cell vaccination in brain metastasis: A real-world retrospective cohort study evaluating survival and safety

Tu CH, Hsu WL, Chang CJ, et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(41):e45178.

DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000045178   |   PubMed

2023 | Advanced Science

BiTE-Secreting CAR-γδT as a Dual Targeting Strategy for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

Huang SW, Pan CM, Lin YC, et al. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023;10(17):e2206856.

DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206856   |   PubMed

05   International Accreditations and Awards

September 15, 2026
U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Designation

The department's submitted material reports an orphan drug designation for malignant glioma on this date. An orphan drug designation is not FDA approval to market a therapy.

06   Medical Team

Stay connected with CMUH
How to get to CMUH the map of hospital
▲