title: The delicate balance of macrophages in colorectal cancer; their role in tumour development and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Most tumours are heavily infiltrated by immune cells. This has been correlated with either a good or a bad patient prognosis, depending on the (sub) type of immune cells. Macrophages represent one of the most prominent leukocyte populations in the majority of tumours. Functions of macrophages range from cytotoxicity, to stimulation of tumour growth by secretion of cytokines, growth and angiogenic factors, or suppressing immune responses. In most tumours macrophages are described as cells with immune suppressing, and wound healing properties, which aids tumour development. Yet, increasing evidence shows that macrophages are potent inhibitors of tumour growth in colorectal cancer. Macrophages in this respect show high plasticity. The presence of high macrophage numbers in the tumour may therefore become advantageous, if cells can be reprogrammed from tumour promoting macrophages into potent effector cells. Enhancing cytotoxic properties of macrophages by microbial products, pro-inflammatory cytokines or monoclonal antibody therapy are promising possibilities, and are currently tested in clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Braster
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bögels
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R H J
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Beelen
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.vanegmond@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Egmond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000074322:Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy
chemical_list: D000074322:Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Immune therapy; Macrophage activation; Macrophages; Monoclonal antibodies