Regulation of the trafficking of tumour-infiltrating dendritic cells by chemokines

To anticipate and initiate immune responses, dendritic cells follow a migratory route from their recruitment as sentinels into tissues, including solid tumors, then to secondary lymphoid organs where they profile the immune response. Migratory capacities-and especially chemokine responsiveness-are therefore key elements in dendritic cell biology. Here, we will review our current knowledge about tumour-infiltrating dendritic cells and the chemokine-driven migration flows in and out from tumors. Then we will discuss the consequences of the interactions between dendritic cells and tumors and the perspectives for translating our experimental knowledge of manipulating dendritic cell migratory flows into anti-cancer therapies. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.