Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in mediating immune responses to pathogens and tumors, with their development influenced by signaling from the FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase in bone marrow myeloid progenitors. Recent updates differentiate between conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Activating mutations in FLT3, such as FLT3-ITD, correlate with poor outcomes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Distinguishing cDCs from AML cells can be challenging due to their shared lineage.