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Updated: Sep 29, 2025
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
Landscape and perspectives of macrophage -targeted cancer therapy in clinical trials
Shuhang Wang1, Yuqi Yang2, Peiwen Ma1
1National Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Abstract:
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exert integrated effects in all aspects of tumor progression, including tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Recently, considerable preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated that TAM-targeted therapy is an effective antitumor therapeutic approach, especially as a complementary strategy in combination with conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or emerging immunotherapy. Here, we review all of the current clinical trials targeting TAMs worldwide up to May 2021 and highlight instances of the synergetic therapeutic efficacy of TAM-targeted combined therapeutic strategies. In total, 606 clinical trials were conducted, including 143 tested products. There has been explosive growth in macrophage-targeted therapy around the world during the past decade. Most trials were at early phase, and two-thirds used macrophage-targeting therapy as part of a combination approach. The most common combination is that of traditional chemotherapy with TAM-targeted therapy, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted drugs. TAM-targeted therapeutic approaches are a newly emerging but rapidly developing area of anticancer therapy, especially as a combinatorial therapeutic approach. Further investigation of promising combination strategies will pave the way to more effective anticancer therapies.
Insights
Targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) shows promise as an effective cancer therapy. Combining TAM-targeted treatments with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy enhances antitumor efficacy, paving the way for improved cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in tumor progression, influencing proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
- TAM-targeted therapy is emerging as a potent antitumor strategy, particularly when combined with established treatments.
- A significant increase in global clinical trials targeting TAMs highlights the growing interest in this therapeutic avenue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review global clinical trials targeting TAMs up to May 2021.
- To analyze the efficacy of TAM-targeted therapies, especially in combination strategies.
- To identify trends and promising future directions in TAM-targeted cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of worldwide clinical trials investigating TAM-targeted therapies.
- Analysis of 606 clinical trials involving 143 tested products up to May 2021.
- Evaluation of combination therapeutic strategies involving TAM-targeted agents.
Main Results:
- Explosive growth in macrophage-targeted therapy research over the past decade.
- The majority of trials (two-thirds) employed combination approaches.
- Traditional chemotherapy combined with TAM-targeted therapy was the most frequent combination, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted drugs.
Conclusions:
- TAM-targeted therapy is a rapidly developing field in anticancer treatment.
- Combinatorial approaches involving TAM-targeted agents demonstrate synergistic therapeutic efficacy.
- Further research into effective combination strategies is essential for advancing cancer therapy.
