Interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and regulated cell death: therapeutic implications in immuno-oncology

Yifei Ge; Lixue Jiang; Chengru Yang; Qingfu Dong; Chengwu Tang; Yi Xu; Xiangyu Zhong

doi:10.3389/fonc.2024.1449696

Interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and regulated cell death: therapeutic implications in immuno-oncology

Front Oncol. 2024 Nov 7:14:1449696. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1449696. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Yifei Ge¹, Lixue Jiang², Chengru Yang¹, Qingfu Dong¹, Chengwu Tang³, Yi Xu^{1

3

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8}, Xiangyu Zhong¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
² Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
³ Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Huzhou Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
⁶ Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
⁷ Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
⁸ Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Abstract

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in sculpting the tumor microenvironment and influencing cancer progression, particularly through their interactions with various forms of regulated cell death (RCD), including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. This review examines the interplay between TAMs and these RCD pathways, exploring the mechanisms through which they interact to promote tumor growth and advancement. We examine the underlying mechanisms of these intricate interactions, emphasizing their importance in cancer progression and treatment. Moreover, we present potential therapeutic strategies for targeting TAMs and manipulating RCD to enhance anti-tumor responses. These strategies encompass reprogramming TAMs, inhibiting their recruitment, and selectively eliminating them to enhance anti-tumor functions, alongside modulating RCD pathways to amplify immune responses. These insights offer a novel perspective on tumor biology and provide a foundation for the development of more efficacious cancer therapies.

Keywords: apoptosis; cancer therapy; ferroptosis; necroptosis; pyroptosis; regulated cell death; tumor microenvironment; tumor-associated macrophages.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (82472743); Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation (Y-QL202201-0020); Beijing Science and Technology Innovation Medical Development Foundation (KC2023-JX-0186-FM046); Opening Project of Huzhou Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine (HZZHYX-202401); Opening Project of the Scientific and Technological Innovation Major Base of Guangxi (2022-36-Z05-GXSWBX202201); Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province (2022E10022); Opening Project of Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy (FJZL2023001);Opening Project of Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine (TCM2024-3); Chen Xiaoping Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology of Hubei Province (CXPJJH123003-005).