IOZK Germany: Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln
Cologne
, Germany
5
reviews
Price level High
Good Manufacturing Practice
350
new patients a year, per the center
1985
year of foundation
2
laboratories
60
employees, per the center
IOZK in brief
IOZK (Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln) is an outpatient center for cancer immunotherapy in Cologne, Germany. Its program combines the IO-VAC dendritic cell vaccine, virotherapy and hyperthermia. The center says it has about 60 employees.
IOZK immunotherapy adds to standard treatment and does not replace it. The center states that it cannot give efficacy statistics, because it runs no comparative clinical trials.
- Location
- Hohenstaufenring 30–32, Cologne
- Format
- Outpatient center
- Methods
- IO-VAC vaccine, virotherapy, hyperthermia
- Initial course
- About 5 weeks, two vaccination cycles
- Team
- About 60 employees, per the center
What you get by booking through Experts Medical
We coordinate treatment at IOZK for international patients. Our coordination is free: you pay the center directly.
- Your records reach the centerWe send your diagnosis, scans and reports to the center.
- A plan and a cost estimateWe ask the center for a treatment plan and a cost estimate and pass them on to you.
- No markupYou pay IOZK exactly what it quotes.
- A stay near the centerTreatment is outpatient, so we book a hotel close to Hohenstaufenring, the airport transfer and an interpreter.
- A coordinator for the tripYour coordinator stays in touch with the center and with you during the trip.
- Early contact before surgeryThe center advises writing before a planned operation, so we pass your request on to the center. Contact us to start.
About IOZK
IOZK Germany is the Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln, an outpatient center for cancer immunotherapy in Cologne. Its work is built around IO-VAC, a vaccine made from the patient's own immune cells. It also uses virotherapy and heat treatment (hyperthermia). The therapy is meant to add to standard cancer treatment. It does not replace surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Immunotherapy Köln: what the center offers
The center combines several methods for each patient:
- IO-VAC vaccine. A dendritic cell vaccine. Dendritic cells are immune cells that show the immune system what a tumor looks like. The center takes them from the patient's blood, processes them in its laboratory together with tumor cell components and a virus, and gives them back to the patient.
- Virotherapy. Oncolytic viruses, which infect tumor cells. The center uses a Newcastle disease virus.
- Hyperthermia. Heating of the tumor area, or of the whole body, to support the other treatments.
- Checkpoint inhibitors. Drugs that remove the brakes the tumor puts on immune cells. They are approved in Europe, and the center says its immunotherapy aims to strengthen their effect.
The center says it holds a manufacturing license under Section 13 of the German Medicines Act (AMG) for the dendritic cell vaccine. Such a license covers how the vaccine is made. It does not show that the treatment works. Each step is explained on the center's treatment process page. Our overview of immunotherapy in Israel and Germany compares the center with other programs.
IOZK glioblastoma treatment and other cancers
The center says immunotherapy can, in principle, be used for any malignant tumor. Its effectiveness has not been studied equally for all cancers. The IOZK FAQ says immunotherapy has been evaluated mainly in cancers with no highly effective standard treatment. Examples are malignant melanoma and glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumor. That statement is about immunotherapy as a field, not about results of the IOZK method.
For glioblastoma, the center names Dr Stefaan Van Gool as its physician in charge of neuro-oncology (the care of brain tumors). If you are comparing options for a brain tumor, see our guide to brain tumor treatment abroad. For skin cancers such as melanoma or lung cancer, we describe standard treatment at other clinics in Germany.
Team and specialists at IOZK
The center employs about 60 people. The team page on iozk.de names these specialists:
- Prof. Samer Akel, chief physician of the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. He is a specialist in internal medicine, hematology, oncology and palliative care.
- Dr Stefaan Van Gool, physician in charge of neuro-oncology. He is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, and he has long researched cancer vaccines at the University Hospital of Leuven.
- Prof. Volker Schirrmacher, scientific director. He worked for over 30 years at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, where he headed the department of cellular immunology.
- Dr Katharina Sprenger, Principal Qualified Person (GMP, good manufacturing practice). A Qualified Person is the doctor or scientist who is legally responsible for releasing each batch of a medicine under German production rules.
- Dr Wilfried Stücker, managing director. According to the team page, he founded what is now the center in 1985.
The best specialties of the hospital
All
Oncology
Treatment prices at IOZK
The IOZK therapy costs page gives these guide prices. Laboratory tests before treatment cost 6,800 to 8,500 EUR. One IO-VAC vaccination cycle costs 23,000 to 26,000 EUR, and at least two cycles are required. A five-day treatment unit, used alongside chemotherapy or as maintenance after the vaccination cycles, costs 6,000 to 11,000 EUR. Both prices exclude any additional antibody therapy. The amounts do not include individual medications such as infusions. The center's FAQ page gives different ranges (3,500 to 5,000 EUR for the tests and 23,000 to 28,000 EUR per cycle), so ask the center for a written quote for your case. The final price depends on your case and your plan.
Diagnosis
| Laboratory tests before treatment | 6 800 – 8 500 € | Enquire price |
Immunology
| IO-VAC vaccination cycle (at least two cycles are required) | 23 000 – 26 000 € | Enquire price |
| Five-day treatment unit (alongside chemotherapy or as maintenance) | 6 000 – 11 000 € | Enquire price |
Prices on this page were last reviewed on November 6, 2026. Get the current price for your case
More about IOZK
How IOZK treatment works for international patients
We first send your diagnosis, scans and reports to the center. It then describes these steps:
- At the initial consultation, the doctors go through your history and findings and discuss standard and immunological options.
- A blood test checks your immune system and tumor activity. The center says the results are ready after about two weeks.
- A tumor conference of the doctors develops a treatment plan from selected modules. The doctors then discuss it with you.
- Treatment follows the plan. The center's FAQ gives a general schedule of two vaccination cycles over about five weeks.
Treatment is outpatient, so you stay in a hotel nearby. The center advises contacting it before a planned operation. Then tumor tissue from the operation can be used to make the vaccine. Immunotherapy is not on the list of services paid by statutory health insurance in Germany. Private insurers may reimburse it, depending on the contract. In some cases, costs are covered on application. According to the center, a common side effect is flu-like symptoms the day after the first dose of the virus, as described in its FAQ.
Where IOZK in Cologne is and how to get there
The Immuno-Oncological Center IOZK Cologne is at Hohenstaufenring 30–32, in the city center. The center lists tram lines 16 and 18 to Barbarossaplatz. From the main station it is about 15 minutes on foot. There is an underground car park at Hohenstaufenring 29–37. We help you book the airport transfer and a hotel close to the center.
IOZK reviews
This page shows five patient reviews, all rated 5 out of 5. One of them, dated 2024, is from the wife of a patient with stage 4 brain cancer. They are personal opinions. We do not treat them as proof of results, and the outcome differs from patient to patient. Reviews mention:
- Respect and attention. Reviewers say the team treated them with care.
- A contact person. One patient says they found a contact person at the center they trusted.
- A warning. One patient writes that the therapy is not standard and "may not be the right thing for everyone."
When IOZK may not be the right choice
Immunotherapy does not replace chemotherapy or radiation. The center itself says in its FAQ that it cannot give statistics on the efficacy of its immunotherapy, because it runs no comparative clinical trials. The center's general schedule is about five weeks, and statutory insurance does not pay for it.
If your cancer has a standard treatment that works well, we suggest you start with that. Read about radiation therapy in Israel, Germany and Turkey to compare. Then ask your oncologist whether adding it makes sense for you. You can find oncologists in Germany in our catalog, and more options in the oncology specialty.
Medically reviewed by Erika Igonina, medical editor of Experts Medical. Updated November 6, 2026
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. Thank you IOZK.
17/07/2024
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
IOZK specialists
-
Dr. Wilfried StückerTumor ImmunologyExperience: over 40 years -
Prof. Dr. Volker SchirrmacherTumor ImmunologyExperience: over 40 years -
Stefaan Van Gool MD PhDPediatric hematology-oncology, neuro-oncologyExperience: over 30 years -
Dr. med. Katharina SprengerPrincipal Qualified Person (GMP)
Additional services
Transfer from / to the airport
Visa assistance
Personal assistant
Wi-Fi Internet
Reservation of accommodation and airline tickets
Translator
Accommodation for accompanying person
Single room
Video about clinic
Send request to clinic
we will contact you within 15 minutes
Clinic on the map
Where is IOZK Köln located?
The IOZK Immun-Onkologisches Zentrum Köln is at Hohenstaufenring 30–32, 50674 Cologne, Germany. It works as an outpatient center. Patients stay in hotels nearby, and we help with the booking.
Which documents should I send to the IOZK clinic in Germany before the first consultation?
Send your diagnosis, scans and medical reports, including earlier treatment. At the initial consultation, the doctors go through your history and findings. We pass your records to the center and can tell you if something is missing.
Can I contact IOZK before my surgery?
Yes, and the center advises it. If your own tumor tissue can be used to make the vaccine, that helps the treatment. Write to us before the operation date, and we will pass your request on.
What do IOZK reviews say?
They mention respect, attention and a contact person patients trust. They are personal opinions and not evidence of results.
Does IOZK treat glioblastoma?
The center accepts patients with brain tumors and names Dr Stefaan Van Gool as its physician in charge of neuro-oncology. Its FAQ names glioblastoma, together with malignant melanoma, among the cancers where immunotherapy in general has mostly been evaluated. The center also says it cannot give statistics on the efficacy of its own method. Discuss this option with your neuro-oncologist as an addition to standard treatment.
How long does IOZK treatment take and how much does it cost?
The center’s general schedule is two vaccination cycles over about five weeks. On its therapy costs page the center gives guide prices of 6,800 to 8,500 EUR for the laboratory tests before treatment and 23,000 to 26,000 EUR for one IO-VAC vaccination cycle, and at least two cycles are required. These amounts do not include individual medications. The center’s own FAQ page gives different ranges (3,500 to 5,000 EUR for the tests and 23,000 to 28,000 EUR per cycle), so ask for a written quote for your case.
Does IOZK immunotherapy replace standard cancer treatment?
No. The center presents its immunotherapy as an addition to standard treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Statutory health insurance does not pay for it. Your oncologist should decide with you whether to add it.
