Figure 4.

Multifactorial influences on the function of melanoma-associated dendritic cells (DC). A variety of complex factors contribute to the immunoregulation of DC in the context of melanoma. Elements that control the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, the balance of immunostimulatory versus immunosuppressive signals in the tumor microenvironment, metabolic influences on DC function, and the microbiome all interact to dictate the immune stimulatory capacity of melanoma-associated DC. Mechanistic insights into each of these layers of DC immune regulation provide opportunities for therapeutic interventions to enhance the immunogenicity and antitumor function of melanoma-associated DC as described in more detail in the text.