已发表论文

肺癌中的肿瘤相关巨噬细胞:起源、功能异质性及治疗意义

 

Authors Tao Y, Xiao J, Li Y, Zou A

Received 9 July 2025

Accepted for publication 17 October 2025

Published 31 October 2025 Volume 2025:18 Pages 15257—15280

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S552449

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2

Editor who approved publication: Dr Junhao Wang

Yeqing Tao,1,* Jian Xiao,2,* Yafang Li,1 Aiping Zou3 

1Endoscopy Center, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiaxing, 314100, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Orthopedics, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiaxing, 314100, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiaxing, 314100, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Aiping Zou, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiaxing, 314100, People’s Republic of China, Email zouaiping@zjxu.edu.cn

Abstract: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a heterogeneous population of immune cells that play a pivotal role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung cancer. TAMs, which include both monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs), exhibit distinct functions that influence tumor progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. Recent studies have highlighted the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of TAMs, with MDMs primarily promoting tumor growth and immune suppression, while TRMs contribute to tissue homeostasis but can be reprogrammed to support tumor progression. Both subtypes contribute to the formation of an immunosuppressive TME, facilitate tumor metastasis through matrix remodeling, and contribute to therapeutic resistance by modulating the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Understanding the specific roles and heterogeneity of MDMs and TRMs as components of TAMs in lung cancer opens avenues for targeted therapies, such as inhibiting their recruitment, reprogramming their polarization, or blocking their pro-tumorigenic functions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on TAMs in lung cancer, highlighting their dual roles and the potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies that target these macrophages to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: tumor microenvironment, macrophage polarization, immunotherapy, therapeutic resistance