The role of dendritic cells in neuroblastoma: Implications for immunotherapy

Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor, which is originated from some neural tissues. The immune system including the innate and adaptive immune system fights against this tumor. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in this way by recognizing tumor antigens and activating specific types of T cells. These cells are derived from monocytes that are induced by inflammatory factors secreted by different cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). There are different types of DCs, including monocyte-derived DCs (moDC), plasmacytoid DCs (pDC), conventional DCs type 1 and 2 (cDC1 and cDC2), and Langerhans cells. DCs connect the innate and the adaptive part of the immune system and have an important role in anti-tumor immunity. There are some vaccines that involve specific types of DCs, which can be used to prevent neuroblastoma. Also, we can use the combination of inflammatory factors and DCs as a substitute for chemotherapy.