Tumour-educated macrophages promote tumour progression and metastasis

JW Pollard - Nature Reviews Cancer, 2004 - nature.com
JW Pollard
Nature Reviews Cancer, 2004nature.com
Evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicates that macrophages promote solid-
tumour progression and metastasis. Macrophages are educated by the tumour
microenvironment, so that they adopt a trophic role that facilitates angiogenesis, matrix
breakdown and tumour-cell motility—all of which are elements of the metastatic process.
During an inflammatory response, macrophages also produce many compounds—ranging
from mutagenic oxygen and nitrogen radicals to angiogenic factors—that can contribute to …
Abstract
Evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicates that macrophages promote solid-tumour progression and metastasis. Macrophages are educated by the tumour microenvironment, so that they adopt a trophic role that facilitates angiogenesis, matrix breakdown and tumour-cell motility — all of which are elements of the metastatic process. During an inflammatory response, macrophages also produce many compounds — ranging from mutagenic oxygen and nitrogen radicals to angiogenic factors — that can contribute to cancer initiation and promotion. Macrophages therefore represent an important drug target for cancer prevention and cure.
nature.com