Tumor-associated macrophages in lung carcinoma: From mechanism to therapy

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which could be classified into the classical (M1-like) and alternatively activated (M2-like) phenotype, were considered to be important tumor-promoting components in lung cancer microenvironment. Several studies reported that TAMs in lung tumor islet or stroma are usually correlated with poor prognosis. Further studies showed that TAMs could promote the initiation of tumor cells, inhibit antitumor immune responses, and stimulate tumor angiogenesis and subsequently tumor metastasis of lung carcinoma. Currently, TAMs have been considered as penitential targets of lung cancer. This review summarizes from the fundamental information of TAMs to the its role in metastasis and present evidence for TAMs as a potential target of cancer therapy.