Macrophage polarization in tumour progression
Abstract
Macrophages are a fundamental part of the innate defense mechanisms, which can promote specific immunity by inducing T cell recruitment and activation. Despite this, their presence within the tumour microenvironment has been associated with enhanced tumour progression and shown to promote cancer cell growth and spread, angiogenesis and immunosuppression. This paradoxical role of macrophages in cancer finds an explanation in their functional plasticity, that may result in the polarized expression of either pro- or anti-tumoural functions. Key players in the setting of their phenotype are the microenvironmental signals to which macrophages are exposed, which selectively tune their functions within a functional spectrum encompassing the M1 and M2 extremes. Here, we discuss recent findings suggesting that targeting tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer.
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Mature tumors are characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells that are predominantly suppressive M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).
“Mature tumors are also characterized by significant infiltration of mononuclear cells; however, the cells commonly observed in mature tumors are of a more suppressive, M2-like, phenotype [36,39].”
From Macrophage polarization: an opportunity for improved outcomes in biomaterials and regenerative medicine (2012) · cites this paper as [36]
TAMs produce large amounts of IL-10, low inflammatory cytokines/ROS, and have poor antigen presenting capabilities.
“These cells, termed “tumor associated macrophages” (TAM), are characterized by production of large amounts of IL-10, low production of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen intermediates, and poor antigen presenting capabilities.”
From Macrophage polarization: an opportunity for improved outcomes in biomaterials and regenerative medicine (2012) · cites this paper as [36]
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 [36]
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- Authors
- Sica, A., Larghi, P., Mancino, A., Rubino, L., Porta, C., Totaro, M. G., Rimoldi, M., Biswas, S. K., Allavena, P., & Mantovani, A.
- Affiliations
- Fondazione Humanitas per la Ricerca (IT)
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital (IT)
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG)
- Corresponding author
- Sica, Antonio
- ORCID
- Venue
- Seminars in Cancer Biology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-10
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 349-355
- ISSN
- 1044-579X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1984803858
- Cited by
- 1,241
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 92 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 69 · 2021: 98 · 2020: 79 · 2019: 75 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 80 · 2015: 66 · 2014: 82 · 2013: 88 · 2012: 77
- FWCI
- 4.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Seminars in Cancer Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response
- Keywords
- macrophage polarization, tumour-associated macrophages, tumor microenvironment, M1/M2 macrophages, tumor progression, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, cancer immunotherapy, macrophage plasticity
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Immunity, Active, Inflammation, Macrophage Activation, Macrophages, Monocytes, Neoplasms, Cytokines, Disease Progression, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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