Macrophages in Glioblastoma Development and Therapy: A Double-Edged Sword
Mengwan Wu,
Ying Shi,
Luyi Zhu,
Luoyi Chen,
Xinchen Zhao,
Chuan Xu
Affiliations
Mengwan Wu
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Ying Shi
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Luyi Zhu
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Luoyi Chen
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Xinchen Zhao
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Chuan Xu
Integrative Cancer Center & Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the leading lethal tumors, featuring aggressive malignancy and poor outcome to current standard temozolomide (TMZ) or radio-based therapy. Developing immunotherapies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, have improved patient outcomes in other solid tumors but remain fatigued in GBM patients. Emerging evidence has shown that GBM-associated macrophages (GAMs), comprising brain-resident microglia and bone marrow-derived macrophages, act critically in boosting tumor progression, altering drug resistance, and establishing an immunosuppressive environment. Based on its crucial role, evaluations of the safety and efficacy of GAM-targeted therapy are ongoing, with promising (pre)clinical evidence updated. In this review, we summarized updated literature related to GAM nature, the interplay between GAMs and GBM cells, and GAM-targeted therapeutic strategies.
