Dendritic cells are innate immune cells that regulate the quality, magnitude, and duration of antitumor responses.

Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are crucial in this capacity but are paradoxically rare and functionally impaired in most solid tumors. This is a major barrier to effective immunotherapy. The molecular underpinnings of cDC1 dysfunction within the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood.

In a new Science study, researchers report that mitochondrial fitness is important for cDC1 function. They also demonstrate the therapeutic rescue of cDC1 function within the tumor microenvironment in mice, which provides a framework for metabolically reprogramming dendritic cells to restore antitumor immunity.

Learn more in a new Science Perspective.

A subset of dendritic cells relies on mitochondrial fitness to trigger antitumor responses in mice.

Irene S. Molina and Malay Haldar Authors Info & Affiliations

Science

Vol 392, Issue 6793