Active immunotherapy mobilizes the patient's own immunity against renal cell carcinoma cells — including metastatic forms of the disease.
Kidney cancer has a high metastatic potential. About 30% of patients already have distant metastases when the diagnosis is made, and in more than 20% metastatic lesions appear at various times after nephrectomy.
Systemic treatment in this group is difficult: kidney cancer is resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. According to published data (Davydov et al., 2006), median survival in patients with distant metastases is 6-12 months, and only 10% live two years.
The method works best when treatment is started right after the conditionally radical removal of the primary tumour.
Immunotherapy is not discussed for every kidney cancer. Early-stage tumours removed completely by partial or radical nephrectomy, with no sign of spread, usually need no additional treatment — they need follow-up. The conversation makes sense in two situations: a high risk of recurrence after removal of the primary tumour, and established metastatic disease where standard options are limited.
Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common variant and one of the few tumour types the immune system is genuinely able to recognise: this is connected both to the rare spontaneous regressions of metastases and to the fact that immune approaches were developed for this diagnosis earlier than for most others. That is why the doctor looks first at the morphological variant in the histology report.
A kidney tumour is able to stop the immune system from seeing it. The method restores that ability, and from there the immune system does the work.
Renal cell carcinoma builds an environment in which lymphocytes lose their activity: they reach the tumour but do not work. That is why the tumour stays visible to the immune system and keeps growing all the same.
Renal cell carcinoma builds an environment in which lymphocytes lose their activity: they reach the tumour but do not work. That is why the tumour stays visible to the immune system and keeps growing all the same.
Blood is taken from the patient, immune cells are isolated and worked on outside the body: activated and directed against tumour antigens. The product is prepared individually for a particular patient.
Blood is taken from the patient, immune cells are isolated and worked on outside the body: activated and directed against tumour antigens. The product is prepared individually for a particular patient.
Administration is outpatient. In the first 24 hours a slight temperature, weakness and a local reaction at the injection site are common — the expected answer to immune activation, not a complication.
Administration is outpatient. In the first 24 hours a slight temperature, weakness and a local reaction at the injection site are common — the expected answer to immune activation, not a complication.
Between procedures the doctor assesses wellbeing, blood counts (including ESR and the lymphocyte share) and CT or MRI at roughly three-month intervals. On that basis the schedule is continued, intensified or reconsidered.
Between procedures the doctor assesses wellbeing, blood counts (including ESR and the lymphocyte share) and CT or MRI at roughly three-month intervals. On that basis the schedule is continued, intensified or reconsidered.
Survival data for patients with stage IV disease. The results were obtained from a small group of patients with advanced stages of the disease and are considered encouraging.
stage IV patients under observation
12 men and 6 women, ages 54–76
observation period for the group
survival results are considered encouraging
survive 2 years on standard treatment
benchmark according to Davydov et al., 2006
Below are two clinical cases in which prolonged stabilization was achieved in metastatic kidney cancer.
Patient T., 61 years old
Post-left nephrectomy status, multifocal lesions
Baseline
Ultrasound and MRI revealed signs of a multifocal tumor lesion in the right kidney and right adrenal gland (focus 29 × 31 mm). Vaccine therapy was initiated in an intensified regimen; the patient tolerated the treatment well.
First months
On the first day after vaccination — subfebrile temperature, hyperemia at the injection site (7–9 cm). After 3 months, ESR dropped to normal (11 mm/h), and a relative lymphocytosis of 31% was noted.
Dynamics
Subsequent examinations at 3-month intervals showed no data for progression. After 2.5 years, the condition is stable, Karnofsky performance status is 90%.
Observation period
After intensifying therapy when a new focus appeared, the condition stabilized. No signs of disease progression were noted after 3 years.
Stabilization — observed for 3 years without progression
Patient T., 64 years old
Clear cell carcinoma of the right kidney T4NxMx
Baseline
Complaints of pain in the right lumbar region, worsening with movement. ESR elevated to 40 mm/h. CT showed a heterogeneous mass in the upper pole of the right kidney, 76 × 60 × 100 mm.
Start of therapy
Vaccine therapy was started. Pain and hyperemia 3 × 4 cm at the injection site, lasting for a day: the local reaction is a sign that the immune response has been activated.
Who the method suits, who it does not, and what will be required of you practically.
After nephrectomy or partial resection with a high risk of recurrence; established metastases in the lungs, bones, liver or adrenal glands; progression on standard therapy. All three need histology and recent imaging.
A localised tumour removed completely, with no risk factors: follow-up is enough and there is no reason to add treatment. If a course is proposed in that situation, it is fair to ask why.
Acute infections and flare-ups of chronic ones, decompensated cardiac, hepatic or renal failure, pregnancy, and conditions in which the immune response is deliberately suppressed for medical reasons. The full list is set at the in-person consultation.
Taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors or checkpoint inhibitors is no reason to avoid the conversation, but the schedule and intervals are built around your current treatment. Stopping drugs prescribed by your oncologist on your own is not acceptable.
Procedures are outpatient; no hospital stay is required. The induction stage runs over several months, with intervals matched to how far you travel. Contact with the doctor continues between visits.
The immunorehabilitation course for tumour diseases costs from 285 000 ₽ and can be paid in stages. A consultation with the professor costs 10 000 ₽, with the oncologist 7 000 ₽. The final plan and sum are set after the consultation.
The best results are expected when immunotherapy is initiated right after the conditionally radical removal of the primary tumor — for relapse prevention.
Immunotherapy complements surgery and weakens the tumour's suppressive effect on the immune system.
The method lacks the pronounced toxicity inherent in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and does not limit the patient's daily activity.
Yes. The method is used in chemo- and radioresistant renal cell carcinoma, including stage IV with distant metastases, where the options of standard treatment are limited.
The method works best when treatment is started right after the conditionally radical removal of the primary tumour (nephrectomy).
The method mobilises the patient's own immunity and is not associated with the systemic toxicity of chemotherapy, which helps preserve quality of life.
Yes. The centre is next to Moscow (Khimki, Skhodnya) and accepts patients from Moscow, the region and elsewhere; the first consultation can be done remotely from your documents.
The histology report stating the morphological variant, the discharge summary after surgery, recent CT or MRI with written reports and current blood tests. Without morphology and stage a discussion about immunotherapy has nothing to stand on.
No. Removing the primary tumour remains the main treatment and immunotherapy does not replace it. The method is used after surgery or alongside systemic treatment, never instead of them.
The course costs from 285 000 ₽ and can be paid in stages. The centre issues the contract, receipts and a certificate of payment for medical services for a tax deduction.
Leave your contact details. Our medical coordinator will contact you shortly to answer any questions.