The majority of basic and clinical studies have shown a protumor function of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which represent a large proportion of matrix cells. TAMs promote tumorigenesis, and their number is related to the malignancy degree and poor prognosis of many kinds of tumors. Macrophage plasticity makes it possible to change the tumor microenvironment and remodel antitumor immunity during cancer immunotherapy. Increasing numbers of studies have revealed the effects of TAMs on the tumor microenvironment, for example, via promotion of tumor growth and tumorigenesis and through an increase in the number of cancer stem cells or via facilitation of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis. Investigators also proposed tumor-immunological treatments targeting TAMs by inhibiting TAM recruitment and differentiation, by regulating TAM polarization, and by blocking factors and pathways associated with the protumor function of TAMs. This comprehensive review presents recent research on TAMs in relation to prediction of poor outcomes, remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment, and immunological targeted therapies.
Cell-membrane-coated
nanoparticles have emerged as a promising
antitumor therapeutic strategy. However, the immunologic mechanism
remains elusive, and there are still crucial issues to be addressed
including tumor-homing capacity, immune incompatibility, and immunogenicity.
Here, we reported a tumor-associated macrophage membrane (TAMM) derived
from the primary tumor with unique antigen-homing affinity capacity
and immune compatibility. TAMM could deplete the CSF1 secreted by
tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), blocking the interaction
between TAM and cancer cells. Especially, after coating TAMM to upconversion
nanoparticle with conjugated photosensitizer (NPR@TAMM), NPR@TAMM-mediated
photodynamic immunotherapy switched the activation of macrophages
from an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype to a more inflammatory
M1-like state, induced immunogenic cell death, and consequently enhanced
the antitumor immunity efficiency via activation of antigen-presenting
cells to stimulate the production of tumor-specific effector T cells
in metastatic tumors. This TAM-membrane-based photodynamic immunotherapy
approach offers a new strategy for personalized tumor therapy.
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