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Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs): A Critical Activator In Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Meichen Yin1, Jiayu Shen1, Shuqian Yu1
1Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that appear in every stage of cancer progression are usually tumor-promoting cells and are present abundantly in the tumor-associated microenvironment. In ovarian cancer, the overall and intratumoral M1/M2 ratio is a relatively efficient TAM parameter for predicting the prognosis of patients, especially for serous tissue type cancer. TAMs exhibit immunological checkpoint modulators, such as the B7 family and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and play a key role in the development, metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancer, but the underlying mechanism is barely understood. Ovarian cancer is a severe gynecological malignancy with high mortality. Ovarian cancer-associated death can primarily be attributed to cancer metastasis. The majority of patients are diagnosed with wide dissemination in the peritoneum and omentum, limiting the effectiveness of surgery and chemotherapy. In addition, unlike other well-documented cancers, metastasis through vasculature is not a usual dissemination pathway in ovarian cancer. This review sheds light on TAMs and the main process and mechanism of ovarian cancer metastasis.
Insights
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key players in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis. Understanding TAMs and their role in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for improving patient prognosis and developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Gynecologic Oncology
Background:
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in the tumor microenvironment and generally promote tumor growth.
- The M1/M2 macrophage ratio is a prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer, particularly for serous types.
- Ovarian cancer has high mortality, primarily due to metastasis, often presenting as peritoneal and omental dissemination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of TAMs in ovarian cancer.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of ovarian cancer metastasis involving TAMs.
- To highlight TAMs as potential therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on TAMs and ovarian cancer metastasis.
- Analysis of TAMs' involvement in cancer progression, invasion, and immune evasion.
- Examination of ovarian cancer dissemination pathways, including non-vascular routes.
Main Results:
- TAMs express immune checkpoint modulators like PD-L1.
- TAMs are implicated in ovarian cancer development, metastasis, and invasion.
- Ovarian cancer metastasis predominantly occurs via non-vascular routes, such as peritoneal spread.
Conclusions:
- TAMs significantly influence ovarian cancer progression and metastasis.
- Further research into TAM-mediated mechanisms is needed to understand ovarian cancer metastasis.
- Targeting TAMs may offer novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.
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