Fig. 1

DC-targeted cancer therapies. a The maturation of DCs. In the TME, genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and conventional antitumor regimens could support DC maturation by inducing DNA damage and activating cytosolic DNA sensing signaling, such as cGAS/STING/IFN-I pathway. Besides, In the presence of damage-associated molecular patterns from stressed or injured cancer cells, these immature DCs are activated by various PRR pathways. Additionally, chemotherapy and radiotherapy could promote DC maturation by inducing the ICD of cancer cells. DAMPs released during ICD stimulate DC maturation and improve DC functions: ATP facilitates DC recruitment and activation, CRT enhances cancer antigen engulfment, and HMGB1 improves antigen presentation of DCs. b DC-targeted cancer therapies. DC-targeted strategies mainly consist of agonists for DC differentiation, expansion, and activation, blockade of immunoinhibitory signals, and DC vaccines. Abbreviations: DC, dendritic cell; ICD, immunogenic cell death; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; CRT, calreticulin; HMGB1, high-mobility group box 1. Adapted from Yi et al. 2022 [62].