From Relapse to Recovery: Justin’s Life One Year After Immunocine
Justin Hughes was first featured in our patient testimonial series after undergoing Immunocine’s dendritic cell therapy for a rare and aggressive kidney cancer. Today, over a year later, we checked back in — and found him not in a hospital, but on a flag football field, coaching his son’s team, chasing his daughter, and launching a foundation to help others access the same care that helped save his life.
Diagnosis & the Road to Immunocine
Justin’s diagnosis was as rare as it was aggressive — Collecting Duct Carcinoma, a subtype of kidney cancer so uncommon that even top cancer centers struggled to classify it. After multiple surgeries and recurrences, Justin and his wife were running out of options — and hope.
That’s when their community stepped in, rallying to raise the funds needed for Justin to receive Immunocine’s dendritic cell treatment in Cancún.
“I was 55 pounds lighter, in constant pain, and had been through five or six major surgeries. After finding Immunocine, everything started to change.”
The Treatment & Turning Point
Justin received his personalized Immunocine treatment in September 2023. Within months, the transformation was visible — so much so that when Dr. Matt Halpert visited for a podcast appearance, he barely recognized Justin in the driveway.
Today, his circulating tumor DNA is undetectable. He’s back to doing what he loves — playing sports with his kids, coaching, and building a future.
“They look at me and say, ‘You’re like a walking miracle.’ And I feel that way. I’m so grateful to be where I am, considering where I was.”
A Father Back in Action
More than the lab reports and scans, the biggest signs of recovery are in the everyday. His five-year-old son remembers when dad could only toss a football from the couch — now they run plays together in the yard. His daughter, once too small for him to lift, now races him around the house.
“My kids have their dad back. That’s everything.”
Giving Back: The United Creed Foundation
Justin and his wife have launched The United Creed Cancer Foundation, aiming to help others access the treatment that gave him a second chance. The foundation covers travel, housing, and treatment for qualifying patients — and provides emotional and spiritual support along the way.
Looking Forward
Justin’s recovery is a powerful example of what’s possible when the immune system is trained to recognize and fight cancer. But he’s also quick to say: “This isn’t just about me. It’s about the next patient who feels hopeless. We want them to know there’s another path.”
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