What's new in macrophage-tumor cell interaction?
Macrophages--alone or interacting with other host defense elements--can modify the tumor growth, which usually means a process ending with tumor-cell killing, but in some instances may promote tumor progression. The knowledge on the actual capacity of host extra- and/or intratumoral macrophages to be activated by different kinds of biological modifiers or other effector cells, is necessary in order to design effective immun-manipulation in cancer patients. Progression of malignant tumors can be considered as the outcome of innumerable interactions between tumor cells and host cells with a clear indication on the failure of host defense. Host defense against tumors represents a complex series of interrelated specific and non-specific reactions of different cell types including macrophages. There is little doubt that macrophages--at least in vitro--can effectively destroy tumor cells by cytolytic mechanism, although in few instances their supportive effect on tumor growth is also documented. All of these events require the activation of macrophages.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy