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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
08:36
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
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Progress in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-targeted therapeutics
Chayanon Ngambenjawong1, Heather H Gustafson1, Suzie H Pun1
1Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|April 29, 2017
Summary
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) fuel cancer growth and metastasis. This review explores novel immunotherapies targeting TAMs to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells with high plasticity, essential for homeostasis and pathogen defense.
- Dysfunctional macrophages contribute to diseases like cancer, fibrosis, and diabetes.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) often promote cancer progression, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis, correlating with poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the development and evaluation of therapeutics targeting TAMs.
- To highlight strategies for modulating TAM functions in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of pre-clinical and clinical studies on TAM-targeted therapies.
- Analysis of different therapeutic approaches including TAM depletion, function blockade, and repolarization.
Main Results:
- TAMs are significant contributors to tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion.
- Targeting TAMs represents a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy.
- Various pre-clinical and clinical trials are investigating TAM-modulating agents.
Conclusions:
- Modulating TAMs offers a potential avenue for enhancing anti-cancer immunity and improving patient outcomes.
- Further research and clinical evaluation are essential for optimizing TAM-targeted cancer therapies.
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