Unraveling the subtypes and functional roles of dendritic cells in cancer immunity and immunotherapy

Dendritic cells (DCs) are central players in cancer immunity, serving as the primary link between innate and adaptive immune responses. Their functional diversity and the existence of multiple subtypes have emerged as critical factors in determining how the immune system detects and combats tumor cells. Recent studies have highlighted the complexity of DC populations and their dynamic roles within the tumor microenvironment, raising essential questions about their potential in modulating anti-tumor immunity. Despite significant advances, the identification and characterization of DC subsets remain a challenge due to differences in surface markers between model organisms and humans, complicating the direct translation of preclinical discovery into clinical benefit. Ongoing debates center on the dual functionality of DCs, which can be reprogrammed by tumors to adopt immunosuppressive roles, thereby undermining otherwise effective immune responses.The main aim of this Research Topic is to dissect the heterogeneity of DCs and clarify their specific contributions to cancer immunity and immunotherapy. Key goals include mapping DC subsets in tumors, determining their influence on patient outcomes, and identifying which subtypes are most responsive to immunotherapeutic interventions. Special attention will be paid to the molecular mechanisms that govern the functional state of DCs, particularly their transition from a tolerogenic to an immunogenic phenotype. This line of inquiry will help to inform patient stratification for current therapies and guide the development of new approaches, including DC-targeted vaccines and the reprogramming of DCs within the tumor microenvironment to enhance immune activation. This Research Topic seeks contributions that provide new insights into the diversity, function, and therapeutic potential of DCs in cancer. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspective articles that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:• High-resolution mapping of dendritic cell subtypes• Discovery of novel and specialized DC states beyond classical subsets• Applications of spatial proteomics to identify DC subsets within tumors• Mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming of DCs in the tumor microenvironment• Investigation of immune checkpoint molecules expressed by DCs• Exosome-mediated signaling between tumor cells and dendritic cells• Prediction and identification of neoantigens in relation to DC function• Strategies for in vivo targeting and activation of DCs in preclinical and clinical models• Approaches for combining DC-directed interventions with other therapiesPlease note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Jessica Dal Col, Jong-Young Kwak Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76952/unraveling-the-subtypes-and-functional-roles-of-dendritic-cells-in-cancer-immunity-and-immunotherapy