title: Tumor-associated macrophages and anti-tumor therapies: complex links.
abstract: Myeloid cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment, especially tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are essential providers of cancer-related inflammation, a condition known to accelerate tumor progression and limit the response to anti-tumor therapies. As a matter of fact, TAMs may have a dual role while interfering with cancer treatments, as they can either promote or impair their functionality. Here we review the connection between macrophages and anticancer therapies; moreover, we provide an overview of the different strategies to target or re-program TAMs for therapeutic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. cristina.belgiovine@humanitasresearch.it.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belgiovine
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, via La Masa 19, 20156, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Incalci
authors.affiliation: Department Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allavena
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, via La Masa 19, 20156, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frapolli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067470:Cellular Reprogramming Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
keywords: Anti-tumor therapies; Cancer-related inflammation; Macrophage targeting; Nanoparticles; Tumor-associated macrophages