Changes in Dendritic Cells in Cancer and Aging

The majority of common cancers preferentially affect the older population. However, despite the recognized role of dendritic cells in cancer immunotherapy, relatively little is known about the consequence of aging on these important cells. Recent studies have revealed that dendritic cells from old hosts exhibit significant functional defects at multiple levels. These changes may provide a mechanistic basis for the disappointing results of dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in older cancer patients. There is clearly a need to improve our knowledge on how aging modulates these parameters to optimally exploit DC in anticancer vaccines.