Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages for Imaging.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanomedicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial components of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).
• TAMs aggregate at tumor margins and influence tumor progression.
• Targeting TAMs is vital for accurate tumor monitoring, surgical guidance, and treatment efficacy assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review nanomaterials used for TAM-targeting imaging probes.
• To discuss the potential and challenges of nanoplatforms for TAM imaging and diagnosis.
• To highlight the clinical transformation possibilities of TAM-targeting nanomedicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on nanoprobes for TAM targeting.
• Categorization of nanomaterials including metal-based, fluorine-19-based, radiolabeled agents, NIR dyes, and ultrasonic nanobubbles.
• Analysis of prospects and challenges in nanomaterial design for TAM imaging.

Main Results:

• Identified various nanomaterials for TAM targeting, such as iron, manganese, gold, silver nanoprobes, F-19 nanoprobes, radiolabeled agents, NIR dyes, and ultrasonic nanobubbles.
• Highlighted the importance of targeting efficiency, pharmacokinetics, and surgical guidance in nanomaterial design.
• Emphasized the potential of TAM-targeting nanoplatforms for improved imaging, diagnosis, and therapy.

Conclusions:

• TAM-targeting nanoplatforms show significant potential for enhancing cancer imaging and diagnosis.
• Further development is needed to address challenges in targeting efficiency and pharmacokinetics for clinical translation.
• Nanomedicine targeting TAMs offers a promising avenue for future cancer treatment strategies.