Shedding light on macrophage immunotherapy in lung cancer
Huiyun Ma1, Zhouwei Zhang1, Qin Hu1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
Abstract:
The search for therapeutic options for lung cancer continues to advance, with rapid advances in the search for therapies to improve patient prognosis. At present, systemic chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, antiangiogenic therapy, and targeted therapy for driver gene positivity are available in the clinic. Common clinical treatments fail to achieve desired outcomes due to immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor immune evasion is mediated by cytokines, chemokines, immune cells, and other cells such as vascular endothelial cells within the tumor immune microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important immune cells in the TME, inducing tumor angiogenesis, encouraging tumor cell proliferation and migration, and suppressing antitumor immune responses. Thus, TAM targeting becomes the key to lung cancer immunotherapy. This review focuses on macrophage phenotype, polarization mechanism, role in lung cancer, and advances in macrophage centric immunotherapies.
Insights
Targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is crucial for advancing lung cancer immunotherapy. Understanding TAMs
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Current lung cancer therapies like chemotherapy and targeted treatments face limitations due to tumor microenvironment (TME) immunosuppression.
- Tumor immune evasion mechanisms involve cytokines, chemokines, and various cells within the TME, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the phenotype, polarization mechanisms, and role of TAMs in lung cancer.
- To explore advances in macrophage-centric immunotherapies for lung cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on TAMs in the context of lung cancer.
- Analysis of TAM phenotype, polarization, and function within the TME.
- Examination of current and emerging immunotherapeutic strategies targeting TAMs.
Main Results:
- TAMs play a significant role in promoting tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration.
- TAMs contribute to the suppression of anti-tumor immune responses within the TME.
Conclusions:
- Targeting TAMs represents a key strategy for overcoming immune evasion in lung cancer.
- Further research into TAM-centric immunotherapies holds promise for improving patient prognosis.
