Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in cancer immunology and immunotherapy by promoting immune responses against tumors. DC vaccines (DCVs) have shown potential in enhancing antitumor immunity, but their clinical efficacy remains limited. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of DCVs in various solid tumors, highlighting the need for improvements in vaccine formulations, patient selection, and combination therapies to enhance survival. DCVs are safe and induce immune responses, but their effectiveness is hindered by factors such as inadequate vaccine formulation, poor antigen selection, suboptimal administration routes, and inappropriate patient selection. Recent advances in DC biology and immunotherapy have led to new trends, including the use of neoantigens and personalized vaccines. DCVs have shown promise in certain cancers, such as breast, brain, colorectal, gynecological, and melanoma, but further research is needed to optimize their use. The combination of DCVs with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapies may improve clinical outcomes. Despite challenges, DCVs remain a promising strategy for cancer treatment, with ongoing research aimed at enhancing their efficacy.Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in cancer immunology and immunotherapy by promoting immune responses against tumors. DC vaccines (DCVs) have shown potential in enhancing antitumor immunity, but their clinical efficacy remains limited. This review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of DCVs in various solid tumors, highlighting the need for improvements in vaccine formulations, patient selection, and combination therapies to enhance survival. DCVs are safe and induce immune responses, but their effectiveness is hindered by factors such as inadequate vaccine formulation, poor antigen selection, suboptimal administration routes, and inappropriate patient selection. Recent advances in DC biology and immunotherapy have led to new trends, including the use of neoantigens and personalized vaccines. DCVs have shown promise in certain cancers, such as breast, brain, colorectal, gynecological, and melanoma, but further research is needed to optimize their use. The combination of DCVs with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapies may improve clinical outcomes. Despite challenges, DCVs remain a promising strategy for cancer treatment, with ongoing research aimed at enhancing their efficacy.