The role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor progression and relevant advance in targeted therapy.
10.1016/j.apsb.2020.04.004
- Author:
Qiyao YANG
1
;
Ningning GUO
1
;
Yi ZHOU
1
;
Jiejian CHEN
2
;
Qichun WEI
2
;
Min HAN
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Combined therapy;
Extracellular vesicles;
Immunotherapy;
Nano-drug;
Targeted drug delivery;
Tumor microenvironment;
Tumor treatment;
Tumor-associated macrophages
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
2020;10(11):2156-2170
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Macrophages have a leading position in the tumor microenvironment (TME) which paves the way to carcinogenesis. Initially, monocytes and macrophages are recruited to the sites where the tumor develops. Under the guidance of different microenvironmental signals, macrophages would polarize into two functional phenotypes, named as classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). Contrary to the anti-tumor effect of M1, M2 exerts anti-inflammatory and tumorigenic characters. In progressive tumor, M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are in the majority, being vital regulators reacting upon TME. This review elaborates on the role of TAMs in tumor progression. Furthermore, prospective macrophage-focused therapeutic strategies, including drugs not only in clinical trials but also at primary research stages, are summarized followed by a discussion about their clinical application values. Nanoparticulate systems with efficient drug delivery and improved antitumor effect are also summed up in this article.
