Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in regulating the immune response and are essential for anti-tumor immunity. DCs are a heterogeneous population with distinct functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). They can be categorized into three main subsets: conventional DCs (cDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). cDCs are further divided into cDC1 and cDC2, which have distinct roles in activating CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. pDCs produce type I interferons and can act as tolerogenic or immunogenic cells depending on the context. MoDCs can cross-present antigens to CD8+ T cells and prime CD4+ T cells. Reprogramming tumor-infiltrating DCs can significantly enhance the immune response against tumors and has shown promising therapeutic potential in pre-clinical studies. This review summarizes the subsets and functions of DCs, their roles in shaping T cell immunity in the TME, and the potential of targeting DCs for immunotherapeutic benefits against cancer.Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in regulating the immune response and are essential for anti-tumor immunity. DCs are a heterogeneous population with distinct functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). They can be categorized into three main subsets: conventional DCs (cDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). cDCs are further divided into cDC1 and cDC2, which have distinct roles in activating CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. pDCs produce type I interferons and can act as tolerogenic or immunogenic cells depending on the context. MoDCs can cross-present antigens to CD8+ T cells and prime CD4+ T cells. Reprogramming tumor-infiltrating DCs can significantly enhance the immune response against tumors and has shown promising therapeutic potential in pre-clinical studies. This review summarizes the subsets and functions of DCs, their roles in shaping T cell immunity in the TME, and the potential of targeting DCs for immunotherapeutic benefits against cancer.