Targeted delivery of proapoptotic peptides to tumor-associated macrophages improves survival.

ABSTRACT: Most current cancer therapies focus on killing malignant cells, but these cells are often genetically unstable and can become resistant to chemotherapy. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) facilitate disease progression by promoting angiogenesis and tumor cell growth, as well as by suppressing the adaptive immune response. TAMs are therefore potential targets for adjuvant anticancer therapies. However, resident macrophages are critical to host defense, and preferential ablation of TAMs remains challenging. Macrophage activation is broadly categorized as classically activated, or M1, and alternatively activated, or M2, and TAMs in the tumor microenvironment have been shown to adopt the anti-inflammatory, M2-like phenotype. To date, there are no methods for specific molecular targeting of TA

SUBMITTER: Cieslewicz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3791765 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature