Macrophages and the hypoxic tumour microenvironment.
One characteristic of solid tumour tissue is the presence of large numbers of tumour-associated macrophages. These migrate down gradients of chemo-attractive agents to accumulate within hypoxic and / or necrotic areas where they are generally related to poor clinical prognosis. In this review we will discuss the molecular mechanisms that underlie recruitment of macrophages into tumours and their pro-tumourigenic activities with respect to stimulation of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, tumour cell migration, metastasis and immuno-suppression. The potential of macrophage-related anticancer therapies will be discussed in the light of this phenotype.
Knowles
Helen J
HJ
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, UK.
Harris
Adrian L
AL
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents