Leveraging macrophages for cancer theranostics

As fundamental immune cells in innate and adaptive immunity, macrophages engage in a double-edged relationship with cancer. Dissecting the character of macrophages in cancer development facilitates the emergence of macrophages-based new strategies that encompass macrophages as theranostic targets/tools of interest for treating cancer. Herein, we provide a concise overview of the mixed roles of macrophages in cancer pathogenesis and invasion as a foundation for the review discussions. We survey the latest progress on macrophage-based cancer theranostic strategies, emphasizing two major strategies, including targeting the endogenous tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and engineering the adoptive macrophages to reverse the immunosuppressive environment and augment the cancer theranostic efficacy. We also discuss and provide insights on the major challenges along with exciting opportunities for the future of macrophage-based cancer theranostic approaches. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Macrophages play a dual role in cancer development and are being explored as targets and tools for cancer theranostics. This article provides an overview of the mixed roles of macrophages in cancer pathogenesis and highlights the latest progress in macrophage-based cancer theranostic strategies, focusing on targeting tumor-associated macrophages and engineering adoptive macrophages to enhance immunosuppression and improve therapeutic efficacy.