Dual roles and therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor microenvironments.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a dual role in the tumor microenvironment - pro-inflammatory M1 TAMs fight cancer, while pro-tumor M2 TAMs promote angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression. Targeting TAMs with CSF-1R inhibitors, CCL2 antagonists, and nanoparticl...
This research paper explores the dual roles of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment. TAMs are derived from circulating monocytes and can be polarized into distinct subtypes - M1 TAMs enhance anti-tumor immunity, while M2 TAMs promote tumor progression. The spatial distribution of M2-like TAMs in hypoxic and stromal regions, where they secrete factors like VEGF, TGF-β, and MMPs, is crucial for their pro-tumor functions. TAMs also extensively interact with immune cells, with M2 TAMs inhibiting cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells while expanding regulatory T cells. Therapeutic targeting of TAMs, including CSF-1R inhibitors, CCL2 antagonists, and nanoparticle-mediated repolarization, is a promising cancer treatment strategy. The paper also