Dual roles and therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor microenvironments

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), derived from circulating monocytes recruited to tumor sites via chemotactic signals such as C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), are pivotal components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Functionally polarized into distinct subtypes, TAMs play dual roles: proinflammatory M1-type TAMs enhance antitumor immunity through the secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and direct tumor cell cytotoxicity, whereas M2-type TAMs promote tumor progression by facilitating angiogenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression. This polarization is dynamically regulated by different cytokines, various signaling…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 11932017, 82072624
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
• ZU
  Zhejiang University
• NS
  National Science and Technology Major Project
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: 2024ZD0520100
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province

  Award: LHDMY22C060002