Fig. 1
From: Dual roles and therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor microenvironments
Historical advances and therapeutic insights into macrophages and tumor biology. Key milestones in macrophage and tumor biology research. Starting in 1863, Virchow linked inflammation to tumors. Metchnikoff’s macrophage studies earned a Nobel Prize (19th century), followed by the reticuloendothelial system concept (1923). In the 1970s–90s, breakthroughs in CSF1 discovery, monoclonal antibodies, and genetically engineered mice for tumor microenvironment (TME) research were reported. Later, macrophage depletion inhibited tumors (21st century), and TAMs were reprogrammed to antitumor states (2018). CSF1R inhibitors gained approval (2019), identifying TAMs as key therapeutic targets. (created with BioRender)
