Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 31, 2026

In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System
05:45

In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System

Published on: January 9, 2020

8.4K

Macrophages in the microenvironment of head and neck cancer: potential targets for cancer therapy

Diane Evrard1, Petr Szturz2, Annemilaï Tijeras-Raballand3

  • 1Head and Neck Surgery Department, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.

Oral Oncology
|January 9, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key in head and neck cancers. Targeting TAMs offers new therapeutic strategies for these difficult-to-treat malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cancer Microenvironment

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment, particularly immune cells, is a critical target for cancer therapies.
  • Advanced head and neck cancers have poor prognoses, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
  • High density of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) correlates with poor outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prognostic and therapeutic roles of TAMs in head and neck carcinomas.
  • To explore strategies for modulating TAMs within the tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on TAMs in head and neck cancers.
  • Analysis of prognostic data linking TAM density to patient outcomes.
  • Examination of therapeutic approaches targeting TAMs, including CSF-1/CSF-1R inhibitors and phenotype reprogramming.

Main Results:

  • TAMs are consistently associated with poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Limited data currently exist for TAMs in other head and neck cancer sites.
  • Investigated strategies include TAM inactivation and M2 to M1 phenotype reprogramming.

Conclusions:

  • TAMs represent a significant prognostic factor in head and neck carcinomas.
  • Targeting TAMs, through inhibition or reprogramming, holds therapeutic potential.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate TAM roles across all head and neck cancer sites.
Keywords:
CSF-1R inhibitorCancer treatmentProtumoral activitiesTargeted therapyTumor microenvironmentTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)

More Related Videos

Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis06:57

Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

Published on: June 14, 2019

11.3K
Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment10:59

Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment

Published on: November 23, 2017

12.8K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.9K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.2K
Arteries of the Head and Neck01:26

Arteries of the Head and Neck

The human body's intricate network of arteries ensures that every organ system receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients for optimal function. The arterial network in the head and neck region is particularly complex, providing vital blood flow to the brain, eyes, and other critical structures. Prominent arteries in this region include the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries.
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
3.2K
Veins of Head and Neck01:19

Veins of Head and Neck

The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
5.5K
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
54.2K
What is Cancer?02:12

What is Cancer?

Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of...
14.4K