title: Tumor-associated macrophages in thoracic malignancies.
abstract: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can be abundantly present in numerous cancer types. Under influence of various stimuli in the tumor microenvironment TAMs develop into a tumor-inhibitory (M1) or tumor-promoting (M2) phenotype. Recently, the role of TAMs in tumor biology and their prognostic value in cancer has become a major topic of interest. In this review we will discuss the importance of TAMs in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of lung cancer and mesothelioma patients. In addition, the potential of TAMs as therapeutic targets will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.lievense@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lievense
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bezemer
authors.forename: J G J V
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: J P J J
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hegmans
mesh_terms: D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology