Myeloid Cells as Targets for Therapy in Solid Tumors

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cancer development involves complex interactions between neoplastic cells and host cells within the tumor microenvironment.
• Myeloid cells, including macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, and granulocytes, are key components of the tumor microenvironment, often promoting tumor growth and suppressing anti-tumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which myeloid cells are programmed to support tumor progression.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting these protumorigenic myeloid cell programs for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes findings from preclinical studies and clinical evaluations of novel immune-based therapies.
• The focus is on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving myeloid cell involvement in cancer.

Main Results:

• Inhibition of critical myeloid-based programs has demonstrated tumor suppression in preclinical models.
• Targeting myeloid cell functions offers a strategy to overcome immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• Targeting protumorigenic myeloid cell programming is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
• Such approaches aim to attenuate solid tumor progression by inducing and mobilizing CD8 cytotoxic T cell immunity.