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Updated: Oct 24, 2025
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
The Association between Tumor-associated Macrophages and Glioblastoma: A Potential Target for Therapy
Arash Heidari1, Pouya M Sharif1, Nima Rezaei2
1Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults, causing many deaths each year. The life expectancy of patients from the time of diagnosis does not exceed 15 months. Tumoral cells are generally surrounded by a bed of tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of various components such as different immune cells, stromal cells, and blood vessels. Previous studies on the treatment of this tumor have generally focused on cancerous cells and, therefore, have introduced conventional therapies for eradicating this tumor, including maximal safe surgery, chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy. Despite treatment with this method, tumors almost always recur, and life expectancy has not increased much. Recently, due to the discovery of the various roles of immune cells (including tumor-associated macrophages or TAMs) in the pathogenesis of this disease, the path of studies has moved towards targeting them as a treatment for glioblastoma. In this review, we aimed to investigate recent studies on the different roles of TME components, the role of TAM in the pathogenesis, and novel methods that target TAMs, including induction of TAM repolarization, inhibition of TAM-produced cytokines, and prohibition of immune system suppression induced by TAMs. In this regard, various targets, including colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF- 1) receptors, Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), or chemokine receptor (CXCR) pathways, are investigated.
Insights
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatments are improving by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Novel strategies focus on repolarizing TAMs and inhibiting their pro-tumorigenic functions to enhance glioblastoma therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive adult brain tumor with a poor prognosis, often recurring after standard treatments.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), plays a critical role in GBM pathogenesis and treatment resistance.
- Conventional therapies (surgery, temozolomide, radiotherapy) have limited impact on long-term survival due to tumor recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of TME components in glioblastoma.
- To elucidate the specific contributions of TAMs to GBM development and progression.
- To explore emerging therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs for glioblastoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on GBM, TME, and TAMs.
- Analysis of research investigating TAM functions in glioblastoma pathogenesis.
- Examination of novel therapeutic approaches targeting TAMs, including repolarization and cytokine inhibition.
Main Results:
- TAMs significantly influence GBM growth, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance.
- Targeting TAMs offers promising avenues for overcoming treatment limitations.
- Key pathways like CSF-1R, NF-κB, and CXCR are identified as potential targets for modulating TAMs.
Conclusions:
- Modulating the TME, particularly TAMs, represents a promising strategy to improve glioblastoma treatment outcomes.
- Targeting TAMs through repolarization or cytokine inhibition could overcome therapeutic resistance.
- Further research into TAM-specific pathways is crucial for developing effective glioblastoma therapies.
