Anticancer role of dendritic cells (DC) in human and experimental cancers--a review.
The bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DL/LC) are antigen-presenting accessory cells functioning as part of the immune system. In addition, DC/LC in epithelial tissues may have the capacity to be involved in cellular interactions which may have regulatory functions. Such properties can also be noted when LC/DC interact with cancer cells in tumors. The present review summarizes reports which suggest that the outcome of a primary tumor in patients depends on the presence or absence of DC/LC in the tumor. The evidence showing that the presence of DC/LC in primary tumors indicates that a good prognosis may be reached are presented and discussed. Based on these observations and the ability of immunomodulators to enhance the activity of DC/LC and the ability of these cells to enter into tumors, it is suggested that the molecular basis of DC/LC activity against primary tumors cells should be investigated. It is possible that activation of DC/LC, thereby enhancing their ability to enter primary tumors, and the abrogation of the ability of DC/LC-resistant tumors to destroy or prevent DC/LC from entering the tumor, could be developed as an effective anti-cancer approach.
Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
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Becker
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004260:DNA Repair; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D012176:Retinoids; D011503:Transglutaminases