A helpful analogy: If CIK cells were the police, cancer cells are the criminals. On its own, the police (CIK) are effective and capable of fighting criminals and preventing the criminals from causing harm (cancer). However, the police would always appreciate a little help from police dogs (DC) who can make the process of catching criminals quicker and more accurate. The police dogs sniff the scent of criminals (antigens- the toxin given off by cancer cells that cause the body’s immune system to attack it), thus leading the police to the location of the criminals.

Previously, oncologists needed a biopsy of the patient’s cancer before treatment could begin since DC cells needed this biopsy sample in order to know which type of cancer they were expected to attack, and how to attack it. By requiring a biopsy, the treatment process had the disadvantages of causing more pain from surgery, more post-operation healing, more time, and more uncertainty. By creating an antigen bank--as well as having the potency of umbilical cord blood sourced DC-- these factors allow the CIK-DC combination to be far more effective, extending the benefits of this therapy to even late-stage cancers.