Targeting tumor-associated macrophages: A potential treatment for solid tumors

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.