Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
Published on: August 1, 2019
Refining the Role of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Kiyofumi Takabatake1, Piao Tianyan1, Takuma Arashima1
1Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8525, Japan.
Abstract:
In the tumor microenvironment, various immune and stromal cells, such as fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells, contribute to tumor growth and progression by interacting with cancer cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have attracted attention as major players in the tumor microenvironment. The origin of TAMs is believed to be the infiltration of monocytes derived from bone marrow progenitor cells into tumor tissues and their differentiation into macrophages, whereas tissue-resident macrophages derived from yolk sacs have recently been reported. TAMs infiltrating tumor tissues act in a tumor-promoting manner through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and the promotion of cancer cell invasion. Reflecting the nature of TAMs, increased TAM invasion and TAM-specific gene expression in tumor tissues may be the new biomarkers for cancer. Moreover, new therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs, such as transformation into immunostimulatory macrophages, suppression of TAM infiltration, and promotion of phagocytosis, are being investigated, and many clinical trials are underway. As the origin and function of TAMs are further elucidated, TAM-targeted therapy is expected to become a new option for the immunotherapy of various cancers, including oral cancers.
Insights
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer growth through immunosuppression and invasion. Targeting TAMs offers a promising new immunotherapy strategy for various cancers, including oral cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) involves complex interactions between cancer cells and various stromal/immune cells.
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key immune cells within the TME, influencing tumor progression.
- TAMs can originate from infiltrating monocytes or tissue-resident macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of TAMs in cancer progression.
- To explore TAMs as potential cancer biomarkers.
- To discuss emerging TAM-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on TAM origin, function, and therapeutic targeting.
- Analysis of TAMs' contribution to immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and invasion.
- Examination of clinical trials for TAM-targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- TAMs exhibit tumor-promoting functions, including immunosuppression and invasion.
- Increased TAM infiltration and specific gene expression may serve as cancer biomarkers.
- Clinical trials are investigating strategies to reprogram TAMs, inhibit their infiltration, and enhance phagocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding TAM origin and function is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
- Targeting TAMs represents a significant therapeutic avenue for various cancers, including oral cancers.
- TAM-targeted therapies hold promise as a novel component of cancer treatment regimens.
More Related Videos
09:57Real Time Detection of In Vitro Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by CD8+ T Cells to Study Immune Suppressive Functions of Tumor-infiltrating Myeloid Cells
Published on: January 29, 2019
07:44Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports
Published on: November 28, 2019
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
02:30Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells