Empowering gamma delta T cells with antitumor immunity by dendritic cell-based immunotherapy

Gamma delta (gamma delta) T cells are the all-rounders of our immune-system with their major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted cytotoxicity, capacity to secrete immunostimulatory cytokines and ability to promote the generation of tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell responses. Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine therapy has the prospective to harness these unique features of the gamma delta T cells in the fight against cancer. In this review, we will discuss our current knowledge on DC-mediated gamma delta T cell activation and related opportunities for tumor immunologists.