From silent partners to potential therapeutic targets: macrophages in colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: Cancer cells grow and survive in the tumor microenvironment, which is a complicated process. As a key part of how colorectal cancer (CRC) progresses, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exhibit a double role. Through angiogenesis, this TAM can promote the growth of cancers. Although being able to modify and adjust immune cells is a great advantage, these cells can also exhibit anti-cancer properties including direct killing of cancer cells, presenting antigens, and aiding T cell-mediated responses. The delicate regulatory mechanisms between the immune system and tumors are composed of a complex network of pathways regulated by several factors including hypoxia, metabolic reprogramming, cytokine/chemokine signaling, and cell interactions. Decoding and figuring out these complex systems beco

SUBMITTER: Khizar H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11861851 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature