EJMO. 2023; 7(3): 201-208 | DOI: 10.14744/ejmo.2023.26480

Macrophages in Tumor Microenvironment: From Molecular Aspects to Clinical Applications

Michele Ammendola¹, Silvia Curcio¹, Giorgio Ammerata¹, Maria Luposella¹, Caterina Battaglia¹, Carmelo Laface², Riccardo Memeo³, Giuseppe Navarra⁴, Giuseppe Currò⁵, Girolamo Ranieri^2
1Science of Health Department, Digestive Surgery Unit, University “Magna Graecia” Medical School, Catanzaro, Italy, ²Interventional Oncology Unit with Integrated Section of Translational Medical Oncology, National Cancer Research Centre “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy, ³Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgical Unit, “F. Miulli” Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy, ⁴Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgical Unit, “F. Miulli” Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgical Unit, “F. Miulli” Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy, ⁵Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Evolutive Age, Surgical Oncology Division, “G. Martino” Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy,

Macrophage cells are a part of the immune system, which are also involved in tumor microenvironment (TME). Specific macrophages are activated by different chemokines like IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-? and subsequently are able to differentiate into M1 and M2. Moreover, Ms2 are divided into 4 sub-phenotypes: M2a, M2b, M2c and M2d. We have analysed the relationship between macrophages, the role of micro RNAs and their importance in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, we investigated how macrophages interact in the pathogenesis of breast, gastric and colorectal cancer. We reported several studies regarding the involvement of these cells in tumoral angiogenesis and proliferation. This review represents a starting point to better comprehend the molecular and biological steps regarding the involvement of Ms in cancer, focusing the attention on their effects in specific tumors. Keywords: Breast Cancer (BC), ColoRectal Cancer (CRC) Angiogenesis, Gastric Cancer (GC), Lymphangiogenesis, Macrophages, TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages), TME (Tumor MicroEnvironment)

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Cite This Article

Ammendola M, Curcio S, Ammerata G, Luposella M, Battaglia C, Laface C, et al. Macrophages in Tumor Microenvironment: From Molecular Aspects to Clinical Applications. EJMO. 2023; 7(3): 201-208

Corresponding Author: Michele Ammendola

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