Dendritic cell immunotherapy in malignancies

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the central players in immunity and tolerance. Our ability to manipulate DC biology for therapeutic purposes is limited by our lack of knowledge in terms of the optimal conditions for DC generation, loading, dosing and route of administration. In order to optimize DC immunotherapy, an understanding of the factors that control DC differentiation, maturation and the mechanisms that promote cross-priming and cross-tolerance is needed. This review attempts to provide, a basis for the development of rational DC immunotherapy through an analysis of our current understanding of how DCs function and interact with the immune system.