“Tumor-associated macrophages: an accomplice in solid tumor progression” (2019), by Yibing Chen et al. Immunology and Microbiology research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

Tumor-associated macrophages: an accomplice in solid tumor progression

Yibing Chen, Yucen Song, Wei Du et al. · October 19, 2019 · Immunology and Microbiology

Abstract

In many solid tumor types, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, TAMs infiltration is strongly associated with poor survival in solid tumor patients. In this review, we describe the origins of TAMs and their polarization state dictated by the TME. We also specifically focus on the role of TAMs in promoting tumor growth, enhancing cancer cells resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, promoting tumor angiogenesis, inducing tumor migration and invasion and metastasis, activating immunosuppression. In addition, we discuss TAMs can be used as therapeutic targets of solid tumor in clinics. The therapeutic strategies include clearing macrophages and inhibiting the activation of TAMs, promoting macrophage phagocytic activity, limiting monocyte recruitment and other targeted TAMs therapies.

Free PDF DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0568-z