Application of dendritic cells in tumor immunotherapy and progress in the mechanism of anti-tumor effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) modulating dendritic cells: a review

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that are essential in mediating the body's natural and adaptive immune responses. The body can regulate the function of DCs in various ways to enhance their antitumor effects. In the tumour microenvironment (TME), antigen-specific T cell responses are initiated through DC processing and delivery of tumour-associated antigens (TAAs); conversely, tumour cells inhibit DC recruitment by releasing metabolites, cytokines and other regulatory TME and function. Different subpopulations of DCs exist in tumour tissues, and their functions vary. Insight into DC subgroups in TME allows assessment of the effectiveness of tumour immunotherapy. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is the main component of the Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus. The study found that the antitumor effects of APS are closely related to DCs. APS can promote the expression of surface molecules CD80 and CD86, promote the maturation of DCs, and activate CTL to exert antitumor effects. We reviewed the application of DCs in tumor immunotherapy and the mechanism of modulation of DCs by Astragalus polysaccharide to provide new directions and strategies for tumor therapy and new drug development.