Tumor-associated macrophages in liver cancer: From mechanisms to therapy.

ABSTRACT: Multidimensional analyses have demonstrated the presence of a unique tumor microenvironment (TME) in liver cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are among the most abundant immune cells infiltrating the TME and are present at all stages of liver cancer progression, and targeting TAMs has become one of the most favored immunotherapy strategies. In addition, macrophages and liver cancer cells have distinct origins. At the early stage of liver cancer, macrophages can provide a niche for the maintenance of liver cancer stem cells. In contrast, cancer stem cells (CSCs) or poorly differentiated tumor cells are key factors modulating macrophage activation. In the present review, we first propose the origin connection between precursor macrophages and liver cancer cells. Macrophages undergo

SUBMITTER: Cheng K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9648394 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature