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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
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In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

Published on: August 1, 2019

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Macrophages associated with tumors as potential targets and therapeutic intermediates

Serguei Vinogradov1, Galya Warren, Xin Wei

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA.

Nanomedicine (London, England)
|May 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key drivers of tumor growth. Targeting TAMs with nanomedicine offers a promising strategy for enhancing cancer therapy and inhibiting tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute a significant portion of the tumor mass, actively promoting tumor progression by suppressing immune responses, promoting angiogenesis, and supporting cancer stem cells.
  • The inherent mobility of TAMs within tumors presents a potential avenue for improving the distribution of nanocarriers and achieving effective tumor growth inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the characteristics of macrophages and TAMs relevant for TAM-directed cancer therapies.
  • To highlight the advantages of nanomedicine in drug delivery, particularly the preferential uptake of nanocarriers by macrophages.
  • To review current strategies for reprogramming or inhibiting the tumor-promoting functions of TAMs and explore combination therapies with nanodrugs.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of macrophage and TAM features.
  • Review of nanomedicine applications in drug delivery and cancer therapy.
  • Discussion of recent research on TAM reprogramming and inhibition strategies.

Main Results:

  • TAMs play a critical role in tumor growth and progression.
  • Nanomedicine offers advantages for targeted drug delivery to TAMs.
  • Strategies exist to modulate TAM functions and enhance chemotherapy efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting TAMs is a crucial strategy in novel cancer therapeutics.
  • Nanomedicine-based approaches show significant potential for TAM-directed therapies.
  • Combining nanodrug delivery with conventional chemotherapy could improve treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
biodistribution of nanoparticlescancer stem celleradication of cancer cellsmacrophagenanocarrierphagocytosisreprogramming of macrophagestumor-associated macrophagetumor-supporting function‘Trojan horses’

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