Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
08:36

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

Published on: August 1, 2019

7.9K

Tumor-associated macrophages

Luca Cassetta1, Jeffrey W Pollard1

  • 1MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|March 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces tumor-associated macrophages, detailing their origins and diverse roles in the tumor microenvironment. It explores how these macrophages function and adapt within cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key cellular components of the tumor microenvironment.
  • Understanding TAMs is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of tumor-associated macrophages.
  • To discuss the origin, diversity, function, and plasticity of TAMs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on TAMs.
  • Conceptual framework development for TAMs.

Main Results:

  • TAMs exhibit significant heterogeneity and diverse functional phenotypes.
  • TAM plasticity allows them to adapt to the tumor microenvironment.
  • TAMs play multifaceted roles in all stages of cancer, from initiation to metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • TAMs are critical regulators of tumor progression and response to therapy.
  • Targeting TAMs represents a promising strategy in oncology.
  • Further research into TAM biology is warranted to optimize cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Real Time Detection of In Vitro Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by CD8+ T Cells to Study Immune Suppressive Functions of Tumor-infiltrating Myeloid Cells09:57

Real Time Detection of In Vitro Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by CD8+ T Cells to Study Immune Suppressive Functions of Tumor-infiltrating Myeloid Cells

Published on: January 29, 2019

23.3K
Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports07:44

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

8.0K

Related Concept Videos

The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.5K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.3K
Antigen Presenting Cells01:22

Antigen Presenting Cells

The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
2.8K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.5K