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Updated: Nov 30, 2025
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
Targeting tumor-associated macrophages: A potential treatment for solid tumors
Yibing Chen1, Huan Jin2, Yucen Song1
1Genetic and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract:
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in solid tumors exert protumor activities by releasing cytokines or growth factors into the tumor microenvironment. Increasing studies have also shown that TAMs play a key role in tumor progression, such as tumor angiogenesis, immunosuppression, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. A large body of evidence shows that the abundance of TAMs in solid tumors is correlated with poor disease prognosis and resistance to therapies. Therefore, targeting TAMs in solid tumors is considered to be a promising immunotherapeutic strategy. At present, the therapeutic strategies of targeting macrophages mainly include limiting monocyte recruitment, depletion strategies, promoting macrophage phagocytic activity, and induction of macrophage reprogramming. Additionally, targeting TAMs in combination with conventional therapies has been demonstrated to be a promising therapeutic strategy in solid tumors. In the present review, we summarized various TAMs-targeting therapeutic strategies for treating solid tumors. This review also discusses the challenges for targeting TAMs as tumor treatments, the obstacles in clinical trials, and the perspective for the future development of TAMs-targeting therapies for various cancers.
Insights
Targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a promising cancer immunotherapy. Strategies include limiting recruitment, depletion, enhancing phagocytosis, and reprogramming TAMs to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote solid tumor progression via cytokines and growth factors.
- TAMs are linked to angiogenesis, immunosuppression, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis.
- High TAM abundance correlates with therapeutic resistance in solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current TAM-targeting therapeutic strategies for solid tumors.
- To discuss challenges and future perspectives in TAM-targeted cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TAM-targeting strategies in solid tumors.
- Analysis of therapeutic approaches including monocyte recruitment limitation, depletion, phagocytosis enhancement, and reprogramming.
- Examination of combination therapies with conventional treatments.
Main Results:
- Multiple strategies exist to target TAMs, including limiting recruitment, depletion, enhancing phagocytic activity, and reprogramming.
- Combination therapies involving TAM targeting show promise.
- Challenges and clinical trial obstacles for TAM-targeted therapies are identified.
Conclusions:
- Targeting TAMs represents a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
- Combination therapies and overcoming clinical challenges are key for future development.
- Further research is needed to optimize TAM-targeted treatments for various cancers.
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