Fig. 1

Tumor-immune cycle induced by cancer vaccines. The immune response that effectively kills tumor cells involves steps that allow repetition and expansion called the tumor-immune cycle. After the administration of the tumor vaccine, DCs uptake and process tumor antigens, then present them to MHC II or MHC I (through cross-presentation). Antigen-loaded DCs migrate to lymph nodes to recruit and activate immune cells. Follicular DCs promote the generation of memory B cells and plasma cells. Activated B cells promote tumor apoptosis through ADCC. Activated T cells proliferate and differentiate into memory T cells and effector T cells. Effector T cells travel to TME, killing tumor cells directly or inducing tumor cell apoptosis. Immunogenic dead tumor cells can release TAAs and danger signaling molecules to increase the depth and breadth of the response in subsequent cycles