Tumor-associated macrophages as targets for tumor immunotherapy.
Restoration of one of the major physiological functions of the body's immune response, the rejection of malignant cells, is a promising yet challenging task for cancer therapy. Prinicipally, immunotherapeutic approaches make use of cells of the adaptive immune system, since antigen-based tumor rejection might be the most specific approach. However, other immune cell populations, such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute significantly to protumor mechanisms elicited by a distorted immune response. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the pathology of TAMs and discuss potential therapeutic approaches to overcome TAM-mediated tumor promotion. Hereby, we focus on TAM phenotypes that were observed in the clinically relevant stages of cancer progression. The function of macrophages and other inflammatory cells in the onset of cancer has been discussed elsewhere.
Weigert
Andreas
A
Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry I - Pathobiochemistry, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
Sekar
Divya
D
Brüne
Bernhard
B
D000818:Animals; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018925:Chemokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019139:Tumor Escape
D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D018925:Chemokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009841:Oligonucleotides