Macrophages associated with tumors as potential targets and therapeutic intermediates.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) form approximately 50% of tumor mass. TAMs were shown to promote tumor growth by suppressing immunocompetent cells, inducing neovascularization and supporting cancer stem cells. TAMs retain mobility in tumor mass, which can potentially be employed for better intratumoral biodistribution of nanocarriers and effective tumor growth inhibition. Due to the importance of TAMs, they are increasingly becoming principal targets of novel therapeutic approaches. In this review, we compare features of macrophages and TAMs that are essential for TAM-directed therapies, and illustrate the advantages of nanomedicine that are related to the preferential capture of nanocarriers by Mϕ in the process of drug delivery. We discuss recent efforts in reprogramming or inhibiting tumor-protecting properties of TAMs, and potential strategies to increase efficacy of conventional chemotherapy by combining with macrophage-associated delivery of nanodrugs.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6025, USA.
Serguei
S
Vinogradov
Galya
G
Warren
Xin
X
Wei
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053769:Nanocapsules
biodistribution of nanoparticles; cancer stem cell; eradication of cancer cells; macrophage; nanocarrier; phagocytosis; reprogramming of macrophages; tumor-associated macrophage; tumor-supporting function; ‘Trojan horses’