The present invention relates to compositions and methods for producing dendritic cells and particularly to compositions and methods for producing immature dendritic cells that are immunocompetent. We describe a method of producing dendritic cells by cultivation of monocytes, characterised by at least one of: pre-treatment of a tissue culture surface with at least one of: a substantially plasma-free and serum-free pre-treatment medium, a pre-treatment medium comprising heparin, and a pre-treatment medium comprising a protein solution; adsorption of monocytes using at least one of: a substantially plasma-free and serum-free adsorption medium; cultivation of monocytes using a substantially plasma-free and serum-free cultivation medium. We also describe compositions including the dentritic cells and uses of the dentritic cells.