Fig. 2
From: Dual roles and therapeutic targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor microenvironments
Macrophage polarization states and functional diversity in the tumor microenvironment. This figure illustrates the distinct polarization states of macrophages and their roles in the tumor microenvironment. M1 macrophages, which are activated by TLR ligands, secrete proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, which exhibit antitumor activities and rely on OXPHOS for energy. In contrast, M2 macrophages, which are polarized by IL-4 and IL-13, promote tissue remodeling, tumor cell growth, and anti-inflammatory responses. Regulatory macrophages, which are induced by immune complexes, produce IL-10 and IL-12 to suppress immune responses and support tumor progression. Glucocorticoid-induced macrophages secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and promote angiogenesis, which relies on anaerobic glycolysis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) facilitate tumor growth by releasing factors such as VEGF and MMP2 to promote angiogenesis and immune evasion. These diverse phenotypes highlight the dynamic and dual roles of macrophages in cancer progression and their potential as therapeutic targets. (created with BioRender)
