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Vaccines
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Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy
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Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccination Against Cancer and Chronic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2025) | Viewed by 7998

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aimin Jiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Center for Cutaneous Biology and Immunology Research, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
2. Immunology Research Program, Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
Interests: dendritic cell vaccine; cancer immunotherapy; tumor immunity; cross-presentation; CD8 T cell immunity; exosomes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APC) that efficiently cross-present tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and prime tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells to control tumors. This specific functionality of DCs makes the DC-based vaccines one of the leading strategies for cancer immunotherapy. However, tumors often promote the tolerogenic function of host DCs to suppress anti-tumor immunity, limiting the success of the DC-based cancer vaccines.

There are several obstacles in the success of DC vaccines, i.e., tumor-mediated immunosuppression and the functional limitations of in vitro differentiated DCs. DC-derived exosomes have been considered as an alternative to cell-free therapeutic vaccines. In vivo DC-targeted vaccines and the use of naturally circulating blood DCs also offer promising alternatives to in vitro cultured DCs. There are critical gaps in our understanding of even the basic biology of these approaches, such as how DCexos and different subsets of DCs prime T cells, thus hindering their translation into clinical applications. Similarly, there is a need for a better understanding of how DCs interact with other DCs, B cells, and NK cells to fully unleash the potential of the DC-based vaccines.

This Special Issue on developing cancer vaccines welcomes new research articles and reviews on all aspects of dendritic cells and their roles in vaccine development and cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Aimin Jiang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dendritic cell vaccine
  • cancer immunotherapy
  • immune checkpoint blockade
  • tumor immunity
  • CD8 T cell immunity
  • exosomes

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3841 KB  
Article
CD8+ T Cells Primed by Antigenic Peptide-Pulsed B Cells or Dendritic Cells Generate Similar Anti-Tumor Response
by Ichwaku Rastogi, Wanyi Guo, Jena E. Moseman and Douglas G. McNeel
Vaccines 2025, 13(9), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13090953 - 6 Sep 2025
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Background: Peptide-loaded antigen-presenting cell (APC)-based vaccines have been under investigation as a therapeutic approach for treating cancer. However, in general they have demonstrated limited efficacy in clinical trials. Dendritic cells (DCs) have been the primary choice for APC-based vaccines given their ability to [...] Read more.
Background: Peptide-loaded antigen-presenting cell (APC)-based vaccines have been under investigation as a therapeutic approach for treating cancer. However, in general they have demonstrated limited efficacy in clinical trials. Dendritic cells (DCs) have been the primary choice for APC-based vaccines given their ability to cross-present antigens. B cells have been less studied as APCs for vaccines. Here we compare the phenotype and anti-tumor activity of activated T cells that result from peptide-specific priming using either B cells or DCs. Methods: B cells and DCs were isolated from C57Bl/6 mice, and either treated or not treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for maturation, and then either loaded or not loaded with SIINFEKL peptide to prime CD8+ T cells from OT-1 mice. Activated T cells were then analyzed for their phenotype and anti-tumor efficacy. Results: We report that both immature B cells and immature DCs were similarly capable of activating antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. However, LPS-matured DCs generated a stronger CD8+ T cell activation profile in vitro compared to LPS-matured B cells. Immature B cells, mature DCs and immature DCs all generated a similar anti-tumor response upon adoptive transfer of primed CD8+ T cells to tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions: Collectively, our data suggests that B cells and DCs are each capable of priming CD8+ T cells and generating anti-tumor responses. Given that B cells are relatively easier to culture and expand compared to DCs, our study suggests that, following further validation, B cells could be further investigated as APCs for peptide-based human cancer vaccines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy)
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17 pages, 4059 KB  
Article
β-Catenin in Dendritic Cells Negatively Regulates CD8 T Cell Immune Responses through the Immune Checkpoint Molecule Tim-3
by Chunmei Fu, Jie Wang, Tianle Ma, Congcong Yin, Li Zhou, Björn E. Clausen, Qing-Sheng Mi and Aimin Jiang
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050460 - 25 Apr 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2807
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that β-catenin in dendritic cells (DCs) serves as a key mediator in promoting both CD4 and CD8 T cell tolerance, although the mechanisms underlying how β-catenin exerts its functions remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that activation of β-catenin [...] Read more.
Recent studies have demonstrated that β-catenin in dendritic cells (DCs) serves as a key mediator in promoting both CD4 and CD8 T cell tolerance, although the mechanisms underlying how β-catenin exerts its functions remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that activation of β-catenin leads to the up-regulation of inhibitory molecule T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) in type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s). Using a cDC1-targeted vaccine model with anti-DEC-205 engineered to express the melanoma antigen human gp100 (anti-DEC-205-hgp100), we demonstrated that CD11c-β-cateninactive mice exhibited impaired cross-priming and memory responses of gp100-specific CD8 T (Pmel-1) cells upon immunization with anti-DEC-205-hgp100. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed that β-catenin in DCs negatively regulated transcription programs for effector function and proliferation of primed Pmel-1 cells, correlating with suppressed CD8 T cell immunity in CD11c-β-cateninactive mice. Further experiments showed that treating CD11c-β-cateninactive mice with an anti-Tim-3 antibody upon anti-DEC-205-hgp100 vaccination led to restored cross-priming and memory responses of gp100-specific CD8 T cells, suggesting that anti-Tim-3 treatment likely synergizes with DC vaccines to improve their efficacy. Indeed, treating B16F10-bearing mice with DC vaccines using anti-DEC-205-hgp100 in combination with anti-Tim-3 treatment resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth compared with treatment with the DC vaccine alone. Taken together, we identified the β-catenin/Tim-3 axis as a potentially novel mechanism to inhibit anti-tumor CD8 T cell immunity and that combination immunotherapy of a DC-targeted vaccine with anti-Tim-3 treatment leads to improved anti-tumor efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy)
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Review

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23 pages, 1347 KB  
Review
Harnessing Dendritic Cell Function in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Advances in Immunotherapy and Therapeutic Strategies
by Shiding Ying, Haiyan Liu, Yongliang Zhang and Yu Mei
Vaccines 2025, 13(5), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13050496 - 4 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies are frequently limited by tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Dendritic cells (DCs), central to orchestrating antitumor immunity, have become key targets for HCC immunotherapy. This review examines [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Conventional therapies are frequently limited by tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Dendritic cells (DCs), central to orchestrating antitumor immunity, have become key targets for HCC immunotherapy. This review examines the biological functions of DC subsets (cDC1, cDC2, pDC, and moDC) and their roles in initiating and modulating immune responses against HCC. We detail the mechanisms underlying DC impairment within the TME, including suppression by regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Additionally, we discuss novel DC-based therapeutic strategies, such as DC-based vaccines designed to enhance antigen presentation and T cell activation. Combining DC vaccines with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockers, demonstrates synergistic effects that can overcome immune evasion and improve clinical outcomes. Despite progress, challenges related to DC subset heterogeneity, TME complexity, and patient variability require the further optimization and personalization of DC-based therapies. Future research should focus on refining these strategies, leveraging advanced technologies like genomic profiling and artificial intelligence, to maximize therapeutic efficacy and revolutionize HCC treatment. By restoring DC function and reprogramming the TME, DC-based immunotherapy holds immense potential to transform the management of HCC and improve patient survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy)
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Other

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16 pages, 2872 KB  
Protocol
Multiparameter Flow Cytometric Analysis of the Conventional and Monocyte-Derived DC Compartment in the Murine Spleen
by Ronald A. Backer, Hans Christian Probst and Björn E. Clausen
Vaccines 2024, 12(11), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12111294 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are present in almost all tissues, where they act as sentinels involved in innate recognition and the initiation of adaptive immune responses. The DC family consists of several cell lineages that are heterogenous in their development, phenotype, and function. Within [...] Read more.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are present in almost all tissues, where they act as sentinels involved in innate recognition and the initiation of adaptive immune responses. The DC family consists of several cell lineages that are heterogenous in their development, phenotype, and function. Within these DC lineages, further subdivisions exist, resulting in smaller, less characterized subpopulations, each with its unique immunomodulatory capabilities. Given the interest in utilizing DC for experimental studies and for vaccination purposes, it becomes increasingly crucial to thoroughly classify and characterize these diverse DC subpopulations. This understanding is vital for comprehending their relative contribution to the initiation, regulation, and propagation of immune responses. To facilitate such investigation, we here provide an easy and ready-to-use multicolor flow cytometry staining panel for the analysis of conventional DC, plasmacytoid DC, and monocyte-derived DC populations isolated from mouse spleens. This adaptable panel can be easily customized for the analysis of other tissue-specific DC populations, providing a valuable tool for DC research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dendritic Cells (DCs) and Cancer Immunotherapy)
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