The expanding landscape of inflammatory cells affecting cancer therapy

Tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells (TIMCs) are critical regulators of cancer growth. The different phenotypes, functions and therapeutic effects of these phagocytes have, however, been difficult to study. With the advent of single-cell-based technologies, a new 'worldview' is emerging: the classification of TIMCs into subtypes that are conserved across patients and across species. As the landscape of TIMCs is beginning to be understood, it opens up questions about the function of each TIMC subtype and its drugability. In this Perspective, we outline the current map of TIMC populations in cancer and their known and presumed functions, and discuss their therapeutic implications and the biological research questions that they give rise to. The answers should be particularly relevant for bioengineers, materials scientists and the chemical and pharmaceutical communities developing the next generation of cancer therapies.