Cancer Immunotherapies Based on Genetically Engineered Macrophages

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cellular Engineering

Background:

• Anticancer immunotherapies aim to stimulate immune responses against tumors.
• Engineered immune cells, like CAR T-cells, show success in hematologic cancers.
• Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in solid tumors and often promote tumor growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in engineering myeloid cells, particularly macrophages, for cancer therapy.
• To explore strategies for reprogramming TAMs from protumorigenic to antitumorigenic roles.
• To discuss future prospects of myeloid-cell-based cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of high-dimensional data to understand the tumor microenvironment.
• Engineering macrophages with chimeric receptors or transgenes.
• Evaluating engineered myeloid cells' functions like phagocytosis and cytokine production.

Main Results:

• Macrophages can be engineered to counteract protumor activities.
• Engineered macrophages can be programmed for enhanced antitumor functions.
• Myeloid cell engineering offers a promising avenue for solid tumor treatment.

Conclusions:

• Reprogramming myeloid cells presents a viable strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
• Engineering macrophages holds potential for treating solid tumors.
• Further research into myeloid-cell-based treatments is warranted.