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. 2023 Nov 28;11:103. doi: 10.1186/s40364-023-00537-x

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

The mechanisms for modification of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment. Overall, four solutions exist for TAM-targeting to create a better anti-cancer response. As seen in the figure, the various phenotypes of TAMs have a role in the tumor progression or suppressor. Now, the two approaches have been in the target TAMs. First is the decrease in the number of TAMs in the TME by various methods like depletion of TAMs or inhibition of macrophage recruitment. Second, reprogramming the macrophages against tumor cells and repolarizing them forward the M1 phenotype and induce phagocytic activity against cancer cells. However, it requires attention. These methods are sometimes used as a combination therapy with other clinical approaches, and monotherapy has a low response in cancer treatments. TAM: tumor-associated macrophage. NK cell: Natural killer cell. CAF: cancer-associated fibroblast. TAN: tumor-associated neutrophil. CXCR4: C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4. CXCL12: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12. CSF-1R: colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor. SIRPα: signaling-regulatory alpha-protein