— Integrative oncology
Cancer Treatment Center in Mexico
Oncologist-led immunotherapy in Tijuana, 20 minutes from San Diego.
Integrative Cancer Treatment for Advanced and Complex Cases
For 17 years, the Immunotherapy Institute has treated patients with advanced and complex cancers. Our program combines current oncology with immunotherapy and integrative support. Every plan is built by a team that includes a clinical oncologist, after a full review of your records, your treatment history and your goals.
You're part of every decision. We explain what we recommend, why we recommend it, and what we don't think will help. Our goal is to treat the cancer while keeping your body strong enough to tolerate treatment and recover.
- Oncologist on your care team. Your plan is reviewed by a medical oncologist working alongside our functional medicine physicians, not by a single practitioner.
- Access to targeted therapy. When your case calls for it, we can add checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and other targeted drugs to your immunotherapy.
- Fast start. Most patients go from first call to treatment in under two weeks.
A Multidisciplinary Team Behind Every Plan
- Dr. Ariel Perez
Medical Director and Co-founder. Functional medicine, orthomolecular medicine and hyperthermia.
- Dr. Alejandro Martínez Rueda
Medical Oncology.
- Dr. Alfonso Martínez Ortega
Attending Physician, Functional Medicine.
- Supporting specialists
Clinical nutrition, physiotherapy and psychology are part of every stay.
Personalized Treatment for a Wide Range of Cancers
We treat many solid tumors and blood cancers, including:
- Lymphoma
- Prostate
- Breast
- Lung
- Stomach
- Liver
- Colorectal
- Melanoma
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- Ovarian
- Uterine
- Esophageal
- Pancreatic
Don't see your diagnosis? Send us your records, and we'll tell you honestly whether we can help.
A Structured, Personalized Program
Every patient receives our core immunotherapy, which includes autologous dendritic cells, NK cells and activated lymphocytes. Our medical team then evaluates whether targeted therapy, low-dose metronomic chemotherapy or other treatments should be added for your specific case.
- Core immunotherapy for every patient: Cell therapies produced from your own blood. Dendritic cells are prepared by a certified outside laboratory.
- Additions based on your case: Targeted drugs, metronomic chemotherapy, hyperthermia and other therapies, chosen after your records review.
- Adjusted as you respond: Your team monitors you daily and adjusts your program during your stay.
You don't have to stop your current chemotherapy to be evaluated.
Six Steps to Start Your Treatment
From first call to treatment in under two weeks.
- 1
Send us your case. Call us or upload your diagnosis, scans and recent labs. We'll schedule a call with the medical team, usually within 24 hours.
- 2
Get your personalized plan. Within 24 hours of your consult, you'll receive your proposed program, including what's included and the full price.
- 3
Book your flight. Fly into San Diego, which is usually the cheaper option, or directly into Tijuana. We only need 48 hours' notice before your arrival.
- 4
We pick you up. Our driver meets you at the airport and brings you to the clinic. If you fly into San Diego, the drive is about 20 minutes without traffic and about 40 minutes with traffic. Bring your passport.
- 5
Begin treatment. Most programs run about 18 days, and your hotel stay is included.
- 6
Stay connected for 3 years. After you go home, you have ongoing communication with our team and direct access to your doctors. Follow-up tests and any further treatment are done separately.
Hear Directly From Our Patients
Patient stories describe individual experiences and are not predictive of results.
It’s seamless… you just focus on being a patient while they take care of everything.
They were willing to work with the schedule I have in Canada… and created something specific for me.
It was more of a relaxing environment where I could actually feel myself healing.
Read patient reviews and testimonials · Patient case studies
Questions Before You Decide
Is treatment in Mexico safe and legitimate?+
Immunotherapy Institute has operated in Tijuana for 17 years under COFEPRIS, Mexico's federal health regulator. Your care is overseen by a medical oncologist working alongside our functional medicine physicians, and every plan is built after a full review of your records. Our dendritic cells are produced by a certified outside laboratory. If a higher level of care is ever needed, we work with New City Medical Center in Tijuana.
What if I've already been told there are no more treatment options?+
Many of our patients come to us after hearing that. We start by reviewing your full records. Sometimes there are options that weren't offered, such as targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or low-dose metronomic chemotherapy combined with cell therapy. Sometimes there aren't, and we'll tell you honestly. Either way, you'll get a clear answer from a team that includes an oncologist.
How long does treatment typically last?+
Most patients stay about 18 days, though your program may be shorter or longer depending on your diagnosis and plan. Your hotel stay is included. After you return home, you continue follow-up testing with your local doctors while staying in contact with our team for 3 years.
Can international or out-of-state patients come?+
Yes. Patients travel to us from across the US, Canada and overseas. You can fly into San Diego or directly into Tijuana, and we handle airport pickup and transport to the clinic. From San Diego International Airport the drive is about 20 minutes without traffic and about 40 minutes with traffic. We only need 48 hours' notice before you arrive. You'll need a valid passport.
How much does treatment cost?+
Pricing depends on your diagnosis and the treatments in your plan. You'll receive the full price and a list of what's included with your personalized plan, before you commit to anything. We provide itemized invoices you can submit to your HSA/FSA administrator. Eligibility depends on your plan.
Do I need to stop my current treatment?+
No. You don't need to stop your current chemotherapy to have your case reviewed. Our team will explain how your existing treatment fits with our program.
World-Class Care at Accessible Prices
Average 70% less than US out-of-pocket costs.
Compared with what patients typically pay out of pocket or in copays for similar care in the US.
Hotel stay included.
Lodging during your treatment is part of your program.
HSA/FSA-ready invoicing.
Itemized invoices for your plan administrator. Eligibility depends on your plan.
Talk to Someone Who's Seen Cases Like Yours
Speak with a patient coordinator who can explain how our team has approached diagnoses like yours and what your next step looks like.
Related reading
— Free case evaluation
Ready to explore your treatment options?
Send your medical records for a personalized case review. We typically schedule your call within 24 hours.