biostudies-literatureAndersen MNNovo Nordisk FondenLundbeck Foundation489-502https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11028169biostudies-literatureUnknown68(3)Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of major importance in cancer-related immune suppression, and tumor infiltration by CD163^pos TAMs is associated with poor outcome in most human cancers. Therefore, therapeutic strategies for reprogramming TAMs from a tumor-supporting (M2-like) phenotype towards a tumoricidal (M1-like) phenotype are of great interest. Activation of the transcription factor STAT3 within the tumor microenvironment is associated with worse prognosis, and STAT3 activation promotes the immunosuppressive phenotype of TAMs. Therefore, we aimed to develop a drug for inhibition of STAT3 specifically within human TAMs by targeting the endocytic CD163 scavenger receptor, which is highly expressed on TAMs. Here, we report the first data on a CD163-targeted STAT3-inhibiCancer immunology, immunotherapy : CIISTAT3 inhibition specifically in human monocytes and macrophages by CD163-targeted corosolic acid-containing liposomes.PMC11028169R180-2014-3649NNF14OC0008781Moller HJMoestrup SKGraversen JHAndersen MNEtzerodt AHokland MHolthof LCfalseSTAT3 inhibition specifically in human monocytes and macrophages by CD163-targeted corosolic acid-containing liposomes.Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of major importance in cancer-related immune suppression, and tumor infiltration by CD163^pos TAMs is associated with poor outcome in most human cancers. Therefore, therapeutic strategies for reprogramming TAMs from a tumor-supporting (M2-like) phenotype towards a tumoricidal (M1-like) phenotype are of great interest. Activation of the transcription factor STAT3 within the tumor microenvironment is associated with worse prognosis, and STAT3 activation promotes the immunosuppressive phenotype of TAMs. Therefore, we aimed to develop a drug for inhibition of STAT3 specifically within human TAMs by targeting the endocytic CD163 scavenger receptor, which is highly expressed on TAMs. Here, we report the first data on a CD163-targeted STAT3-inhibi2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Mar2025-04-22T20:39:16.232Z2025-04-06T03:16:08.996ZS-EPMC110281693063747310.1007/s00262-019-02301-3