Dendritic cells can be derived from leukemia cells and normal precursor cells in the patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dendritic cells may capture leukemia antigen in bone marrow or lymph nodes, and present leukemia common antigen to stimulate proliferation of specific CD8(+) T cells, playing anti-leukemia effect. Dendritic cells for clinical and experimental use are transformed from leukemia cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and loaded in vitro with leukemia -specific or tumor common antigen, play a therapeutic role after reinfusion. This article reviews dendritic cells in the immunotherapy of AML.