Targeting tumor-associated macrophages for cancer immunotherapy

Macrophages are important effector cells of the innate immune system and are also major components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Macrophages that are abundant in the TME are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). As TAMs promote strong tumor angiogenesis and support tumor cell survival,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer 2020-12, Vol.1874 (2), p.188434-188434, Article 188434
Main Authors: Shu, Yongheng, Cheng, Ping
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological - pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological - therapeutic use
Combined Modality Therapy
Drug Therapy
Humans
Immunotherapy
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - therapy
Radiotherapy
Signal Transduction - drug effects
Tumor
Tumor Microenvironment - drug effects
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)
Tumor-Associated Macrophages - drug effects
Tumor-Associated Macrophages - metabolism
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Summary:Macrophages are important effector cells of the innate immune system and are also major components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Macrophages that are abundant in the TME are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). As TAMs promote strong tumor angiogenesis and support tumor cell survival, they are closely related to tumor growth. Several studies have demonstrated that reducing the density or effects of TAMs can inhibit the growth of tumors, making them targets for cancer immunotherapy, which has become a research hot spot. Several clinical and preclinical trials have studied drugs that inhibit the effects of and reduce the population of phagocytes that target TAMs achieve cancer immunotherapy. In this paper, we summarize the various methods of targeting TAMs for tumor immunotherapy, focusing on TAM mechanisms, sources, and polarization. •TAMs are important components of the tumor environment (TME) and express phenotypes that inhibit adaptive immunity.•Targeting TAMs therapeutic strategies are mainly by regulating the origin, functional polarization, phagocytic intensity.•It is an effective way for cancer immunotherapy to reduce the density or effects of TAMs.•Removing immunosuppressive activities of macrophages enhances radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy effects.
ISSN:0304-419X
1879-2561
DOI:10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188434