Tumor-associated macrophages as targets for tumor immunotherapy

摘要

During carcinogenesis, malignant cells are under constant selective pressure elicited by the immune system, which favors the perpetuation of the tumor cell clone that is fraught with multiple mutations; pertaining to accentuated growth-aiding and antiapoptosis pathways, as well as attenuated cellular tumor-suppressor signals. In addition, the tumor (cells or environment) polarizes the surrounding stroma and its components to foster tumor development. The tumor microenvironment acts as the aegis that provides nutrient supply, lymph and blood delivery through angiogenesis and consequently acts as a crucial accomplice for growth, invasion and metastasis of the cancer corpus [1]. Among the stromal compartments fostering tumor growth are various immune cell populations.