title: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells lead the charge against tumors.
abstract: Imiquimod is a TLR agonist that is used as an antitumor agent, mainly against skin tumors. Its clinical benefits are well described in several studies; however, the mechanisms behind its antitumor effects are not completely understood. In this issue of the JCI, Drobits and colleagues demonstrate that topical application of imiquimod suppresses cutaneous melanoma by TLR7-dependent recruitment and transformation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells into killer cells; this occurs independently of conventional adaptive immune mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Baranda
authors.forename: Inês Pires
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod