The role of tumor-associated macrophages in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its related targeting therapy

Int J Med Sci. 2021 Mar 15;18(10):2109-2116. doi: 10.7150/ijms.56003. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Liver macrophages consist of ontogenically distinct populations termed Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) inhepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) play a prominent role in tumormicroenvironment by presenting M1(induced by IFN γ along with LPS) and M2(induced by IL-4 and IL13) polarization. Although TAMs are involved in tumor immune surveillance during the course of HCC, they contribute to tumour progression at different levels by inhibiting the anti-tumor immune response, promoting the generation of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, and supporting the proliferation and survival of tumor cells. In this paper, the multiple functions of TAMs in HCC were reviewed to provide assistance for future researches about therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Tumor-associated macrophages; hepatocellular carcinoma; therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / immunology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology
  • Tubulin Modulators / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Escape / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / drug effects
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / immunology*
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Tubulin Modulators