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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
Intratumoral macrophage counts correlate with tumor progression in colorectal cancer
Jung-Cheng Kang1, Jin-Shuen Chen, Chien-Hsing Lee
1Division of Colon & Rectum, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Background:
The role of intratumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear. We aim to examine the relationships of TAMs and the clinicopathologic features of CRC and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical staining of CD68, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was determined in tissue samples from CRC patients. To test the biological effect of macrophages on tumor cells, cancer cells were cocultured with macrophages and function change of cancer cells were examined.
Results:
Intratumoral TAM count correlated with depth of invasion (P = 0.048), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), and staging (P < 0.0001) of CRC. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and staging. A significant association between intratumoral TAM counts and MMP-2 (P < 0.0001) and MMP-9 (P < 0.0001) expression was noted. When cocultured with macrophages, cancer cells increased their invasiveness and migration and elevated MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion.
Conclusions:
Intratumoral TAMs cause cancer cells to have a more aggressive behavior, and this may be due to an upregulation of tumor cell-derived MMP-2 and MMP-9. Examination of intratumoral TAMs can serve as a progressive marker for CRC patients.
Insights
Intratumoral macrophages (TAMs) promote aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) behavior by increasing invasion and migration. TAMs may serve as a prognostic marker for CRC patients due to their association with advanced disease and matrix metalloproteinase expression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- The role of intratumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.
- Investigating TAMs' relationship with clinicopathological features and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in CRC is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between intratumoral TAMs and clinicopathological features of CRC.
- To investigate the correlation of TAMs with MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in CRC.
- To determine the biological effect of macrophages on cancer cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for CD68, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in CRC tissue samples.
- Co-culture of cancer cells with macrophages to assess functional changes.
- Evaluation of cancer cell invasiveness, migration, and MMP secretion.
Main Results:
- Intratumoral TAM count significantly correlated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and CRC staging.
- MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and staging.
- TAMs significantly correlated with MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, and co-culture increased cancer cell invasiveness and MMP secretion.
Conclusions:
- Intratumoral TAMs contribute to aggressive cancer cell behavior in CRC, potentially via MMP-2 and MMP-9 upregulation.
- TAMs may serve as a prognostic marker for CRC patients.
- Targeting TAMs could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC.
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