Open AccessTumor Versus Tumor-Associated Macrophages: How Hot is the Link?
Author(s) -
Chandrasekharan Guruvayoorappan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
integrative cancer therapies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1552-695X
pISSN - 1534-7354
DOI - 10.1177/1534735408319060
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , metastasis , tumor progression , cancer research , stroma , tumor associated macrophage , tumor microenvironment , phenotype , neovascularization , macrophage , medicine , pathology , tumor cells , cancer , biology , in vitro , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry , gene
One of the functions of macrophages is to provide a defense mechanism against tumor cells. In contrast, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which represent the major inflammatory component of the stroma of many tumors, are associated with tumor progression and metastasis. TAMs, in contrast with normal macrophages, exhibit the M2 phenotype, and thereby exhibit pro-tumoral functions, including angiogenesis and matrix remodeling. This review will discuss the role of TAMs in tumor progression and provide an overview of their significant part in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis.