Advances in tumor immunotherapy targeting macrophages

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Immunotherapy shows promise for advanced tumors but benefits a limited patient subset.
• The tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) contribute to treatment resistance.
• TAMs, primarily M1 (anti-tumor) and M2 (pro-tumor) phenotypes, influence tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research (last 5 years) on strategies to convert TAMs to an anti-tumor phenotype.
• To explore preclinical and clinical progress in TAM-targeted cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of PubMed database (last 5 years).
• Focus on strategies including small molecule drugs, metabolic regulation, gene editing, physical stimulation, nanotechnology, and CAR-based immunotherapy.

Main Results:

• Various strategies are being investigated to modulate TAM phenotype and function.
• Combination therapies show potential for enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
• Physical stimulation emerges as a promising non-invasive approach.

Conclusions:

• Further research into TAM receptors and signaling pathways is needed for targeted drug development.
• Real-time monitoring probes for TAM changes are essential.
• Physical stimulation strategies offer significant clinical transformation potential for immunotherapy resistance.