Jing Zhou,1,* Ling Zhao,1,* Lianfang Liu,2,* Li He,1 Yuanyuan Chen,1 Fang Wang,1 Dawei Cui,3 Lei Wang,1 Qinfeng Zhou1 

1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Lei Wang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13862260335, Email zjgwlwl@126.com Qinfeng Zhou, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, +86-15962395125, Email zhouqinfeng520@163.com

Abstract: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the predominant subtype of lung cancer. Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of established treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, the prognosis for patients with advanced NSCLC remains poor. Dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs), play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of NSCLC. This review explores the classification and biological functions of DCs, highlighting the specific molecular pathways and external factors that influence their maturation and function in NSCLC, which is novel in this review. Moreover, we discuss the potential therapeutic applications of DCs in the management of NSCLC, presenting novel possibilities for future treatments.

Keywords: non-small-cell lung cancer, dendritic cells, maturation, treatment