Advances in Research of Macrophages in Tumor Development and Therapy

Macrophages which have the functions of engulfing and digesting foreign substances may remove harmful substances, including cell debris and tumor cells. Based on the conditions of internal environment, circulating monocytes generate mature macrophages, which can be recruited into tumor microenvironment and converted into TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages) in suitable conditions. Generally, macrophages grow into two populations, known as classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). M2 and a small part of M1 cells, also known as TAMs, not only lack the ability to engulf tumor cells, but also facilite tumor cells evade being killed and spread to other tissues and organs. This review summarized the main mechanisms of macrophages’ role in immune regulation of tumor cells, and reviewed various target therapy strategies based on macrophages, in order to provide reference for further research on macrophage-based therapy strategies and its application in clinical practice.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2022.04.0005