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Review
. 2016 Jul;73(13):2411-24.
doi: 10.1007/s00018-016-2166-5. Epub 2016 Mar 8.

Tumor-associated macrophages and anti-tumor therapies: complex links

Cristina Belgiovine  1 , Maurizio D'Incalci  2 , Paola Allavena  3 , Roberta Frapolli  2
Affiliations
Review

Tumor-associated macrophages and anti-tumor therapies: complex links

Cristina Belgiovine et al. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Myeloid cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment, especially tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are essential providers of cancer-related inflammation, a condition known to accelerate tumor progression and limit the response to anti-tumor therapies. As a matter of fact, TAMs may have a dual role while interfering with cancer treatments, as they can either promote or impair their functionality. Here we review the connection between macrophages and anticancer therapies; moreover, we provide an overview of the different strategies to target or re-program TAMs for therapeutic purposes.

Keywords: Anti-tumor therapies; Cancer-related inflammation; Macrophage targeting; Nanoparticles; Tumor-associated macrophages.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Different strategies to target macrophages. a Inhibition of macrophages recruitment by suppressing CCL2 or CSF1/CSF1R signaling. b Pharmacological depletion of macrophages through the administration of liposomal encapsulated clodronate or trabectedin. c Reprogramming macrophages from M2 to M1 like phenotype
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