A New Perspective on the Importance of Dendritic Cells in Cancer Immunity: From Bench to Patient's Bedside

Dendritic cells (DCs) have emerged in the field of cancer immunotherapy as the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells capable of triggering adaptive immunity and bolstering innate immune responses, even in the absence of T cells. Over the past decade, there has been a significant focus on developing dendritic cell vaccines, with more than 200 clinical trials targeting various cancers, including melanoma, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, and renal cell carcinoma. These vaccines have shown minimal toxicity compared to traditional cytotoxic therapies, making them a promising option for cancer treatment. However, despite their potential, many clinical trials have struggled to achieve significant clinical outcomes due to challenges such as immune suppression and tumor evasion. This highlights the need for innovative strategies to enhance the efficacy of DC vaccines. Understanding the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment is crucial for advancing immunotherapeutic approaches and achieving sustained tumor control. Recent studies have shed light on the molecular and immunological factors that influence the effectiveness of DC vaccines, paving the way for the development of next-generation vaccines tailored to specific cancer types.

This research topic aims to explore novel strategies and insights into the role of dendritic cells in cancer immunity, with a focus on improving the design and application of DC-based vaccines. The primary objectives include investigating the factors that affect the efficacy of DC vaccines, such as tumor antigens, DC maturation processes, and the immune microenvironment. Additionally, the research seeks to identify specific molecules and pathways that can enhance the performance of dendritic cell subsets, ultimately leading to more effective and personalized cancer immunotherapy solutions.

To gather further insights into the intricate dynamics of dendritic cells in cancer immunity, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Dendritic cell and cancer interactions

- Development and optimization of dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines

- Combinatorial strategies involving dendritic cells

- Integration of dendritic cell vaccines with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)

- Next-generation DC vaccines and their role in targeting neoantigens

- Molecular pathways influencing dendritic cell efficacy

- Clinical trials and case studies on DC vaccine applications

Topic Editor Zohreh Amoozgar is employed by Sanofi. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Keywords: Dendritic cells, Immunotherapy, Cancer treatment, Combinatorial treatment, DC based cancer vaccine, ICI

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