Harnessing dendritic cells in cancer

Semin Immunol. 2011 Feb;23(1):42-9. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2011.01.003. Epub 2011 Feb 3.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are central to the initiation of tumor-specific immune responses. However, the tumor microenvironment generates immunosuppressive cells and soluble mediators that compromise DC functions and limit the success of DC-based therapies. Progress in understanding DC metabolism in cancer is uncovering novel therapeutic targets that could restore DC capacity to prime T cells and trigger effective anticancer responses. Accumulating evidence also indicates that conventional chemo- and radiotherapy protocols can cause DC activation, enhance antigen cross-presentation, selectively eliminate immunosuppressive cells and revert the immunosuppression state caused by cancer, suggesting that relevant chemoimmunotherapy associations could fully exploit DC capacity to trigger anticancer responses. Here, we discuss recent strategies that harness DC against cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cancer Vaccines