In this detailed review, Mehta et al. described the knowns and unknowns of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) biology in breast cancer, and highlighted current barriers to improved immunotherapy. Although the most “polarized” TAM populations, M1 (inflammatory, anti-tumor) and M2 (anti-inflammatory, pro-tumor), are well known, new technologies are identifying additional TAM subsets whose functional characterization and properties in the TME will be key. Pro-tumor TAM mechanisms include promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis, stimulating angiogenesis, decreasing Ag presentation, altering metabolism and suppressing T cell function.

Contributed by Katherine Turner

ABSTRACT: Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis and defend against pathogens; however, their infiltration into tumors has been associated with adverse outcomes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a significant component of the inflammatory infiltrate in breast tumors, and extensive infiltration of TAMs has been linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Here, we detail how TAMs impede a productive tumor immunity cycle by limiting antigen presentation and reducing activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) while simultaneously supporting tumor cell survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. There is an urgent need to overcome TAM-mediated immune suppression for durable anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. To date, failure to fully characterize TAM biology and classify multiple subsets has hindered advancement in therapeutic targeting. In this regard, the complexity of TAMs has recently taken center stage owing to their subset diversity and tightly regulated molecular and metabolic phenotypes. In this review, we reveal major gaps in our knowledge of the functional and phenotypic characterization of TAM subsets associated with breast cancer, before and after treatment. Future work to characterize TAM subsets, location, and crosstalk with neighboring cells will be critical to counteract TAM pro-tumor functions and to identify novel TAM-modulating strategies and combinations that are likely to enhance current therapies and overcome chemo- and immuno-therapy resistance.

Author Info: (1) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Bo

Author Info: (1) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States. (2) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. (3) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States. (4) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States. (5) Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States. Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.