Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 26, 2025

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
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In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

Published on: August 1, 2019

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Wnt Signaling in the Phenotype and Function of Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Megan L Tigue1, Matthew A Loberg1, Jeremy A Goettel1,2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Cancer Research
|October 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer growth. Targeting Wnt signaling may reverse TAMs

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial in tumor progression and immune suppression.
  • TAMs can polarize into M1 (anti-tumor) or M2 (pro-tumor) phenotypes.
  • TAM infiltration correlates with poor prognosis in many cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Wnt signaling in TAM polarization and function.
  • To explore Wnt signaling as a therapeutic target for modulating TAMs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of TAM polarization within the tumor microenvironment.
  • Investigation of Wnt signaling pathways in TAMs.
  • Evaluation of Wnt signaling inhibitors in preclinical cancer models.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests Wnt signaling drives an immunosuppressive, M2-like TAM phenotype.
  • TAM-derived Wnt ligands facilitate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Targeting Wnt signaling shows potential in modulating TAMs.

Conclusions:

  • Wnt signaling is a key driver of protumorigenic TAM functions.
  • Inhibiting Wnt signaling may represent a novel cancer therapeutic strategy.
  • Targeting TAM polarization via Wnt inhibition could improve outcomes in macrophage-rich cancers.

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