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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
Published on: November 28, 2019
Cancer Inflammation and Cytokines
Maria Rosaria Galdiero1, Gianni Marone1,2, Alberto Mantovani3,4
1Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DiSMeT) and Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Chronic inflammation aids tumor growth by helping cancers evade immune detection. Understanding tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and neutrophils (TANs) is key to developing new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Chronic inflammation is a critical factor enabling tumor development and progression.
- Inflammatory mediators play complex roles in cancer initiation and growth.
- The tumor microenvironment is heavily influenced by inflammatory cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the roles of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) in cancer.
- To emphasize the plasticity and heterogeneity of TAMs and TANs.
- To underscore the importance of understanding these cells for therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on chronic inflammation and cancer.
- Analysis of the functions of TAMs and TANs within the tumor microenvironment.
- Discussion of the implications of TAM and TAN plasticity in cancerogenesis.
Main Results:
- TAMs exhibit plasticity, adopting diverse phenotypes that influence cancer stages.
- TANs demonstrate significant heterogeneity and plasticity, contributing to tumor progression.
- Both TAMs and TANs are integral to cancer-related inflammation.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of TAM and TAN functions is crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
- Targeting TAMs and TANs may offer novel therapeutic avenues.
- Personalized patient follow-up strategies can be informed by TAM and TAN roles in inflammation.
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