Macrophages, innate immunity and cancer: balance, tolerance, and diversity
Abstract
Smouldering inflammation is a component of the tumor microenvironment and represents the 7(th) hallmark of cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have served as a paradigm for cancer promoting inflammation. Tumor-associated macrophages orchestrate various aspects of cancer, including: diversion and skewing of adaptive responses; cell growth; angiogenesis; matrix deposition and remodelling; the construction of a metastatic niche and actual metastasis; response to hormones and chemotherapeutic agents. T and B cells or cancer cell-derived signals orchestrate the functional reprogramming of TAM. In general TAM acquire M2-like properties and resemble 'tolerant' macrophages, though there is diversity in pathways and phenotypes in different tumors. TAM can also express antitumor activity. Thus, in response to microenvironmental signals, TAM can exert dual influence on tumor growth and progression.
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There is a well-established link between inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, and cancer.
“Now commonly described as “smoldering inflammation”, these observations have led to a well-established link between inflammatory cells, macrophages in particular, and cancer [34–36].”
From Macrophage polarization: an opportunity for improved outcomes in biomaterials and regenerative medicine (2012) · cites this paper as [35]
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- Authors
- Mantovani, A., & Sica, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Milan (IT)
- Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro” (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Mantovani, Alberto
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Immunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-04
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 231-237
- ISSN
- 0952-7915 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2038781914
- Cited by
- 1,484
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 66 · 2023: 73 · 2022: 92 · 2021: 97 · 2020: 125 · 2019: 99 · 2018: 93 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 113 · 2014: 131 · 2013: 119 · 2012: 119
- FWCI
- 8.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
- Keywords
- tumor-associated macrophages, innate immunity, cancer, tumor microenvironment, M2 macrophage polarization, macrophage reprogramming, tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, adaptive immunity, macrophage heterogeneity
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cell Communication, Cell Movement, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Homeostasis, Humans, Immune Tolerance, Immunity, Innate, Macrophages, Neoplasms, Transcription Factors, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Cytokines, Adaptive Immunity
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