Cancer stem cells and tumor-associated macrophages: Interactions and therapeutic opportunities

IF 9.1 1区医学 Q1 ONCOLOGY

Cancer letters Pub Date : 2025-04-22 DOI:10.1016/j.canlet.2025.217737

Haitao Yuan , Yun Qiu , Zijie Mei, Jiaqing Liu, Lingna Wang, Kaiqing Zhang, Huicong Liu, Fangfang Zhu

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) depend on the tumor microenvironment (TME) to sustain their stem-like properties by recruiting monocytes and reprogramming them into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which in turn promote tumor progression. This review explores CSC-TAM interactions, emphasizing how CSCs drive monocyte recruitment and TAM polarization. We discuss how TAMs enhance CSC stemness and niche maintenance through chemokines, cytokines, exosome-mediated miRNA transfer, direct interactions, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Furthermore, we examine therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs, including inhibiting TAM differentiation, reprogramming TAM polarization, and leveraging immune checkpoint blockade and CAR-macrophage immunotherapy to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

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癌症干细胞和肿瘤相关巨噬细胞：相互作用和治疗机会

癌症干细胞（CSCs）依赖肿瘤微环境（TME）来维持其干细胞样特性，通过募集单核细胞并将其重编程为肿瘤相关巨噬细胞（tam），从而促进肿瘤进展。本综述探讨了CSC-TAM的相互作用，强调了csc如何驱动单核细胞募集和TAM极化。我们讨论了tam如何通过趋化因子、细胞因子、外泌体介导的miRNA转移、直接相互作用和细胞外基质（ECM）重塑来增强CSC的干细胞性和生态位维持。此外，我们研究了针对TAM的治疗策略，包括抑制TAM分化，重编程TAM极化，利用免疫检查点阻断和car -巨噬细胞免疫疗法来改善癌症治疗结果。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Cancer letters 医学-肿瘤学

CiteScore

17.70

自引率

2.10%

发文量

427

审稿时长

15 days

期刊介绍： Cancer Letters is a reputable international journal that serves as a platform for significant and original contributions in cancer research. The journal welcomes both full-length articles and Mini Reviews in the wide-ranging field of basic and translational oncology. Furthermore, it frequently presents Special Issues that shed light on current and topical areas in cancer research. Cancer Letters is highly interested in various fundamental aspects that can cater to a diverse readership. These areas include the molecular genetics and cell biology of cancer, radiation biology, molecular pathology, hormones and cancer, viral oncology, metastasis, and chemoprevention. The journal actively focuses on experimental therapeutics, particularly the advancement of targeted therapies for personalized cancer medicine, such as metronomic chemotherapy. By publishing groundbreaking research and promoting advancements in cancer treatments, Cancer Letters aims to actively contribute to the fight against cancer and the improvement of patient outcomes.