{
  "abstract": "Dendritic cells (DCs) function as a double-edged sword in tumor immunity, capable of both activating and tolerizing CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). While conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are well-established mediators of cross-presentation for initiating anti-tumor CTL responses, existing reviews—largely overlook the tolerogenic potential of cDC1s and the context-dependent immunostimulatory capacity of cDC2s, monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs), and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Furthermore, no prior synthesis has systematically reconciled the divergent functions of DC subsets across steady-state versus inflammatory conditions, migratory versus resident phenotypes, and human versus mouse model systems. The tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor-derived exosomes further drive DCs toward an immunosuppressive phenotype, facilitating immune escape. Here, we establish a multi-dimensional framework that dissects the dichotomous roles of diverse DC subsets in regulating CTL immunity and tolerance, resolving key biological contradictions—including recent in vivo evidence that cDC2s can cross-present immune-complexed antigens via a WDFY4-dependent pathway shared with cDC1s—an activity that complements, but does not replace, the cDC1-restricted cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens. We also provide a hierarchical analysis of strategies to restore DC-mediated anti-tumor activity, extending the DC–CTL regulatory paradigm to autoimmunity and solid organ transplantation. A comprehensive summary table categorizes DC-based therapeutic approaches by clinical development stage. By elucidating this dynamic balancing mechanism, we offer refined insights for optimizing cancer immunotherapy design and cross-disciplinary therapeutic applications.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China",
    "Hubei Institute of Urology, Wuhan 430030, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Guoyao Gao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ke Chen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/06pymentgd22r.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/ijms27209064",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13705029",
  "id": "06pymentgd22r",
  "issns": [
    "1422-0067"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9064",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2403|Immunotherapy and Immune Responses"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221612877",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13705029?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13705029",
  "pmid": "42941837",
  "published": "2026-10-13",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/06pymentgd22r.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:55Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/ijms27209064",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9064"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:12Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42941837",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42941837"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2403|Immunotherapy and Immune Responses",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A Double-Edged Sword: The Dichotomous Roles of Dendritic Cell Subsets in Shaping CD8+ T Cell Immunity and Tolerance Within the Tumor Microenvironment",
  "title_text": "A Double-Edged Sword: The Dichotomous Roles of Dendritic Cell Subsets in Shaping CD8+ T Cell Immunity and Tolerance Within the Tumor Microenvironment",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:22:12Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/06pymentgd22r",
  "venue": "International Journal of Molecular Sciences",
  "versions": []
}