Future prospects for cancer immunotherapy using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dendritic cells or macrophages

Cancer immunotherapy is now the first-line treatment for many unresectable cancers. However, it remains far from a complete cure for all patients. Therefore, it is necessary to develop innovative methods for cancer immunotherapy, and immune cell therapy could be an option. Currently, several institutions are attempting to generate immune cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for use in cancer immunotherapy. A method for generating dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MPs) from iPSC has been established. iPSC-derived DCs (iPS-DCs) can activate T cells via antigen presentation, and iPSC-derived macrophages (iPS-MPs) attack cancer. Since iPSCs are used as the source, genetic modification is easy, and various immune functions, such as the production of anti-tumour cytokines, can be added. Furthermore, when iPS-DCs and iPS-MPs are immortalized, cost reduction through mass production is theoretically possible. In this review, the achievements of cancer research using iPS-DCs and iPS-MPs are summarized, and the prospects for the future are discussed.

Automated summary

Cancer immunotherapy is the primary treatment for unresectable cancers, but it is not a complete cure for all patients. Immune cell therapy, specifically using immune cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), shows promise for innovative cancer immunotherapy methods. iPSC-derived dendritic cells (iPS-DCs) can activate T cells, while iPSC-derived macrophages (iPS-MPs) attack cancer cells. iPSCs offer a source for genetic modification and addition of immune functions. Additionally, immortalized iPS-DCs and iPS-MPs could potentially reduce costs through mass production. This review summarizes the achievements and future prospects of cancer research using iPS-DCs and iPS-MPs.