title: Tumor-associated macrophages: unwitting accomplices in breast cancer malignancy.
abstract: Deleterious inflammation is a primary feature of breast cancer. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that macrophages, the most abundant leukocyte population in mammary tumors, have a critical role at each stage of cancer progression. Such tumor-associated macrophages facilitate neoplastic transformation, tumor immune evasion and the subsequent metastatic cascade. Herein, we discuss the dynamic process whereby molecular and cellular features of the tumor microenvironment act to license tissue-repair mechanisms of macrophages, fostering angiogenesis, metastasis and the support of cancer stem cells. We illustrate how tumors induce, then exploit trophic macrophages to subvert innate and adaptive immune responses capable of destroying malignant cells. Finally, we discuss compelling evidence from murine models of cancer and early clinical trials in support of macrophage-targeted intervention strategies with the potential to dramatically reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Carly Bess
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Soloff