What Role Do Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) Play?
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are another critical subset of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. TAMs can exhibit either pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes. M1 macrophages generally have anti-tumor properties, while M2 macrophages promote tumor growth and metastasis by supporting tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Hence, TAMs are often associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients.
