Gut Liver.  2021 Jul;15(4):500-516. 10.5009/gnl20223.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Friend or Foe?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Yijishan Hospital, Wuhu, China.
  • 2Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institution, Wuhu, China.
  • 3School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
  • 4School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and it has diverse etiologies with multiple mechanisms. The diagnosis of HCC typically occurs at advanced stages when there are limited therapeutic options. Hepatocarcinogenesis is considered a multistep process, and hepatic macrophages play a critical role in the inflammatory process leading to HCC. Emerging evidence has shown that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial components defining the HCC immune microenvironment and represent an appealing option for disrupting the formation and development of HCC. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the polarization and function of TAMs in the pathogenesis of HCC, as well as the mechanisms underlying TAM-related anti-HCC therapies. Eventually, novel insights into these important aspects of TAMs and their roles in the HCC microenvironment might lead to promising TAM-focused therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Tumor-associated macrophages; Macrophage polarization; Epigenetic modification; Cancer therapy
Full Text Links
  • GNL
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr