Open Access

Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Pengfei Su
    • Ou Li
    • Kun Ke
    • Zhichen Jiang
    • Jianzhang Wu
    • Yuanyu Wang
    • Yiping Mou
    • Weiwei Jin
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 30, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2024.5648
  • Article Number: 60
  • Copyright: © Su et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and display phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity associated with the stimulation of bioactive molecules within the TME. TAMs predominantly exhibit tumor‑promoting phenotypes involved in tumor progression, such as tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, immunosuppression and resistance to therapies. In addition, TAMs have the potential to regulate the cytotoxic elimination and phagocytosis of cancer cells and interact with other immune cells to engage in the innate and adaptive immune systems. In this context, targeting TAMs has been a popular area of research in cancer therapy, and a comprehensive understanding of the complex role of TAMs in tumor progression and exploration of macrophage‑based therapeutic approaches are essential for future therapeutics against cancers. The present review provided a comprehensive and updated overview of the function of TAMs in tumor progression, summarized recent advances in TAM‑targeting therapeutic strategies and discussed the obstacles and perspectives of TAM‑targeting therapies for cancers.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June-2024
Volume 64 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Su P, Li O, Ke K, Jiang Z, Wu J, Wang Y, Mou Y and Jin W: Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review). Int J Oncol 64: 60, 2024
APA
Su, P., Li, O., Ke, K., Jiang, Z., Wu, J., Wang, Y. ... Jin, W. (2024). Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 64, 60. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2024.5648
MLA
Su, P., Li, O., Ke, K., Jiang, Z., Wu, J., Wang, Y., Mou, Y., Jin, W."Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 64.6 (2024): 60.
Chicago
Su, P., Li, O., Ke, K., Jiang, Z., Wu, J., Wang, Y., Mou, Y., Jin, W."Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 64, no. 6 (2024): 60. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2024.5648