Dendritic cell-based vaccines for the therapy of experimental tumors

Dendritic cells (DCs) are believed to be the most potent antigen-presenting cells able to link the innate and adaptive immune systems. Many studies have focused on different immunotherapeutic approaches to applying DCs as tools to improve anticancer therapy. Although a number of investigations suggesting the benefit of DC-based vaccination during anticancer therapy have been reported, the general knowledge regarding the ultimate methods of DC-vaccine preparation is still unsatisfactory. In this article, the perspectives of DC-based anti-tumor immunotherapy and optimizing strategies of DC vaccination in humans in light of results obtained in mouse models are discussed.