Long non-coding RNAs: key orchestrators of macrophage polarization in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) development is significantly affected by the tumor microenvironment (TME), in which macrophage polarization plays a central role. Macrophages can assume pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, with M1 macrophages suppressing and M2 macrophages facilitating tumor growth. Accumulating evidence indicates long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as significant regulators of macrophage polarization in BC. LncRNAs can promote either M1 or M2 phenotypes, hence modulating tumor growth and metastasis. Accordingly, this review aims to shed light on the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate macrophage polarization and to explore their impact on BC development, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor immune microenvironment.