IOZK Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Koln
Cologne
, Germany
7
reviews
Price level High
Good Manufacturing Practice
98%
satisfied patients
1985
year of foundation
10
laboratories
60
doctors and researches
About clinic
IOZK Immuno-Oncology Center in Cologne is a hospital that treats many types of cancer with innovative technology. Every year, more than 350 patients from Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and the Middle East with various oncological diseases receive personalized IOZK immunotherapy at this center.
This type of immune therapy has been developed by a group of scientists and clinicians who have been studying the immune system in patients with cancer since 1985. IOZK has all the necessary certificates for the laboratory production of the vaccine and its use in cancer therapy.
IOZK immunotherapy is based on the use of a personalized vaccine that activates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. This type of treatment complements the main cancer treatment protocol (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy) at any stage of the disease. IOZK immune therapy has no side effects and is well tolerated by patients. The center has accumulated positive experience in the use of this innovative therapy for various types of cancer, including relapses of the disease.
Types of cancer treated at IOZK Immuno-Cancer Center
The Cancer Immunotherapy Center in Cologne treats patients with the following types of cancer:
- brain, head, and neck;
- thyroid gland;
- skin (melanoma);
- all types of sarcomas (bones and soft tissues);
- lungs;
- mammary gland;
- esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum;
- pancreas, bile ducts, liver;
- kidneys;
- cervix, uterus, ovaries;
- prostate, testicles.
There are practically no contraindications to innovative IOZK therapy. However, each case is considered individually.
IOZK - Cancer Immunotherapy at the Immuno-Cancer Center in Cologne
Comprehensive personalized IOZK immunotherapy includes:
- The IO-VAC vaccine is developed for each patient using the patient's own blood cells and an oncolytic virus. The vaccine contains lab-grown dendritic cells that contain and relay information about cancer cells to the immune system. This causes the activation of T-lymphocytes, which recognize and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
- Virotherapy is the management of oncolytic, destroying malignant cells, and viruses. They only infect and destroy tumors, and also activate the patient's immune system against cancer cells. Virotherapy enhances the effect of the IO-VAC vaccine.
- Hyperthermia is the heating of a cancerous tumor with a high-frequency electromagnetic field or the heating of the entire body with infrared radiation. An increase in temperature in cancer and immune cells contributes to the destruction of a cancerous tumor.
- Therapy with checkpoint inhibitors are special drugs that, due to certain molecular mechanisms, enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells.
- Taking certain substances that affect and modulate the tumor microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy.
- The introduction of trace elements and vitamins for optimal immune function.
IOZK immunotherapy can be started at any stage of the disease. At the same time, the doctors of the Immuno-Oncological Center in Cologne believe that the most optimal time to start treatment is immediately after the surgical removal of the tumor. It is best to contact the center before surgery. In this case, tumor tissue obtained during surgery can be used to make an individual vaccine.
How is the therapy conducted at the Immuno-Oncology Center in Cologne
The treatment protocol takes about 5 weeks and includes:
- Initial consultation. This is an examination of the patient and blood sampling for the study of the immune system with the results in two weeks.
- Development of an individual treatment plan.
- The first vaccination cycle (8 days) is a blood sampling to create a vaccine within 8 days. During this time, the patient receives virotherapy, hyperthermia, and all other types of treatment. On the 8th day, the IO-VAC vaccine is administered.
- Second vaccination cycle (8 days) 3 weeks after the first is similar to the first cycle of preparation and administration of the vaccine.
- Analysis of the patient's immune system three weeks after the second vaccination.
If the immune response after vaccination is sufficient, further monitoring of the immune system parameters is carried out with an interval of three months. If the desired immune response is not present, re-vaccination or continuation of virotherapy and hyperthermia is considered.
Who performs IOZK immunotherapy and how much does the treatment cost?
The center employs 60 qualified specialists, including immunologists, oncologists, researchers, nurses, and laboratory assistants. They perform immunological diagnostics, vaccine production, local and general hyperthermia using the most modern equipment. The cost of the first two cycles of therapy, including diagnostics, production of the IO-VAC vaccine, and all treatments, is approximately €55,000.
The coordinator-doctor of Experts Medical will help you to undergo IOZK immunotherapy at the Immuno-Oncology Center Cologne after receiving the application on the website.
The best specialties of the hospital
All
Oncology
Jo Booth
5/5
Diagnosis: Stage 4 brain cancer
My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer in 2021. His prognosis was dire and the UK doctors told us very little about our options. After much research I found the IOZK. They couldn’t have been more helpful and supportive. They treated him with respect, care, and with innovative practices. I’m forever grateful to the IOZK team for their support and treatment; I truly believe their work gave us more precious time together. Thank you IOZK.
17/07/2024
Richard O
5/5
Diagnosis: brain cancer
We’ve been going to IOZK for my brain cancer treatment – it is a very special place. The brilliant Professor Van Gool leads his incredible team from the front; with care, unparalleled expertise and the greatest respect. IOZK is responsible for my MRI scans looking better all the time – I have no hesitation recommending IOZK to anyone – if you have cancer, I urge you to go!
11/04/2024
Mark Nuttall
5/5
Diagnosis: glioblastoma
Our daughter was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer aged 18. In the UK she was told to make memories and given 6 to 14 months. Not good enough.! So after much research and speaking to people, IOZK in Cologne, Germany caught our attention and thank God it did. We made an appointment and met Professor Stefaan Van Gool who explained the ethos and procedures to us and offered us a plan which made complete sense. We started to make regular visits to Germany, even through lockdown and I can only say good things about everyone at IOZK, they were just brilliant. Over the next four years Laura’s health improved dramatically and she was an able to go back to University and complete her degree course. We never once thought we could beat this disease, but we did give it a real fight and this was undoubtably down to the kindness and expert medical knowledge and care given to Laura by IOZK.
Unfortunately, the cancer did win in the end as we knew it would, but Laura lived for nearly 5 years post diagnosis. I believe this was down to IOZK who are at least 5 years ahead of anything being done in the UK to treat Glioblastomas. Laura believed this too and she always felt better after returning from treatment. Having read some of the previous reviews I think it should be pointed out that IOZK is governed strictly and is not allowed to make profit, it has to break even and plough the money back into research. I would also like to add that even though Laura was under the supervision of many consultants in the UK, it was the straight forward advice and help we received from Professor Van Gool which we valued the most. IOZK was singularly the best decision we made in trying to help our daughter fight cancer.
27/03/2024
Ethan Keller
5/5
Diagnosis: cancer
The therapy is very solid and understandable. My thanks go to the entire medical team and to Mr. Altuntas, who looked after me very well during the treatment. I felt good here. Keep your positive attitude!
Arthur Monroe
5/5
Diagnosis: lungs' cancer
A calming and indeed promising alternative for those who want to boldly go their own way…!
Andrew Ross
5/5
Diagnosis: cancer
I have been in treatment at the IOZK for quite some time and feel very well looked after in this practice. The therapy is not standard and requires thinking, which may not be the right thing for everyone. In any case, I found a contact person I trusted there, and I can only rate my experience as positive.
A. Wonderland
5/5
Diagnosis: cancer
I have been here for 5 years now but the health care and doctor has changed a lot. It is better since a few months ago. I feel more comfortable now. Thanks a lot!
Help pay for treatment
Experts Medical cooperates with foreign funds that help our patients pay for treatment
You can receive compensation up to 20,000 euros for the treatment of a patient under the age of 18
Cost of diagnostics and operations
Diagnosis
| Initial immunological oncological diagnostic | 3 500 € | Enquire price |
| Follow-up immunological oncological diagnostics | 450 € | Enquire price |
Immunology
| DC Vakzine | 18.800 € | Enquire price |
| Isolation of the T-cells followed by Cryopreservation | 1 350 € | Enquire price |
| Tumor-specific immunomodulation by means of five times oncolytic viro-therapy in combination Loco-Regional Radio Frequency | 4 500 € | Enquire price |
Best clinic's doctors
Dr. Wilfried Stucker
Tumor Immunology
Work experience:
over 40 years
Achievements:
- 1985 Establishment of a network for ambulatory therapy of AIDS patients
- 1996 Foundation of a working group for complementary tumor therapy
- 2000 Foundation of a working group for immuno-oncological therapies
- 2002 Founding of today’s IOZK working group for the development of immuno-oncological therapies
- 2004 Opening of a cleanroom laboratory for active specific immunotherapy for the development and production of dendritic cells
- 2015 Obtaining the first GMP fabrication license for oncolytic viruses in Europe
- 2015 Obtaining the first GMP fabrication license for dendritic cells with autologous tumor antigens in combination oncolytic virus (NDV) in Europe
Prof. Dr. Volker Schirrmacher
Tumor Immunology
Work experience:
over 40 years
Achievements:
Doctor of Medical Sciences in Immunology.
Research Activities:
- Fundamental knowledge in biochemistry, metastasis research, cellular immunology and tumor immunology
- Adoptive immunotherapy studies with cancer-reactive memory T cells from bone marrow
- Preclinical studies in animal tumor models and with human immune cells and tumor cells
- Clinical studies of post-operative active-specific immunotherapy in various human carcinomas
- Multimodal immunotherapy at IOZK, Single case studies
Professional activities:
- Senior Research Fellow in London, UK
- Head of Division Cellular Immunology at DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Appointment to Ordinarius at the University Heidelberg Scientific Director of Tumorimmunology at IOZK, Cologne
Awards
- Aronson Award 1982
- Meyenburg Award, 1982
- German Cancer Award, 1988
Membership in professional organizations:
- President of SEK, German Cancer Association
- President of the International „Metastasis Research Society”
- President of the „European Association of Applied Immunology e.V.”
Stefaan Van Gool MD PhD
Specialist in Paediatric Hemato Oncology and immunology
Work experience:
over 30 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- Pediatric hemato-oncology with focus on neuro-oncology
- Basic science preclinical research in the domain of tumor immunology
- Translational immuno-oncology for adults and children with solid tumors or brain tumors
- Multimodal immunotherapy for adults and children with solid tumors or brain tumors
Certifications:
- Pediatric hemato-oncology, certificate in Belgium since 31/07/1996
- Facharzt fur Kinder-und Jugendmedizin, certificate in Germany since 09/03/2016
Professional activities:
- Clinical staff Pediatric Oncology from June 1996 till March 2015
- Professor at the KU Leuven between october 1996 and October 2016
- Senior clinical investigator at the Fund for Scientific Research Belgium from October 2001 till September 2016
- Medical director of translational oncology at the IOZK from September 2015
Awards and Publications:
- He has 155 international peer-reviewed scientific publications Experience
- 10 international and 8 Belgian scientific awards Scientific community
Membership in professional organizations:
- European high grade glioma working group coordinator July 2005 till June 2009
- Co-Chair of SIOPE Brain Tumor Group July 2014 till June 2017
- Member of the Health Supreme Court in Belgium 2008 till 2012
Dr. med. Katharina Sprenger
Immune Oncology, general medicine
Work experience:
over 20 years
Achievements:
Doctor of Medicine.
Responsible for quality control of antitumor vaccine manufacturing laboratory.
Specialization:
- Immune Oncology
- Specialist in General Medicine
- Authorized Person for Quality (German Medicines Act)
- Pharmacovigilance
Professional activities:
- Collaboration with IOZK since 2002
- Cooperation with the IOZK laboratory since 2012
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Published 10.01.2019, Updated 11.03.2025