Fig. 1

Immune activation by reprogrammed cDC1-like cells. Transcription factors PU.1, IRF8, and BATF3, delivered into tumor cells via viral vectors, reprogram these cells into type 1 conventional dendritic cell (cDC1)-like antigen-presenting cells. These reprogrammed cells are characterized by the expression of XCR1, CLEC9A, MHC class I/II, and CD40. The reprogrammed cDC1-like cells recruit and activate CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, inducing robust antitumor immune responses. T cells mediate tumor cell killing via the release of Granzyme B, as well as the secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Effector and memory T cells are mobilized into circulation, contributing to systemic antitumor immunity and promoting an abscopal effect, suggesting the potential for broad tumor control. Created with BioRender.com