Dendritic cells: specialized antigen presenting cells

Renewing interest In cancer immunotherapy reflects the excellent results th at have been obtained in animal models and the promising results in early c linical trails with dendritic cell (DC) based approaches. The central role that DCs play in the initiation of an immune response raises the possibilit y of using them to trigger specific anti-tumor immunity. In addition, deepe r knowledge of DC biology will allow better understanding of the mechanism( s) underlying allergic and autoimmune diseases as well as tolerance phenome na. These crucial issues were critically reviewed during a workshop organiz ed by the Italian Society for Experimental Hematology in Florence, Italy, a n March 18(th), 1999. The chairmen have prepared this report for the reader s of Haematologica. (C) 2000, Ferrata Storti Foundation.