Stromal circuits involving tumor-associated macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts

The tumor associated macrophages (TAM) represent one of most abundant subpopulations across several solid cancers and their number/frequency is associated with a poor clinical outcome. It has been clearly demonstrated that stromal cells, such as the cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), may orchestrate TAM recruitment, survival and reprogramming. Today, single cell-RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) technologies allowed a more granular knowledge about TAMs and CAFs phenotypical and functional programs. In this mini-review we discuss the recent discoveries in the sc-RNA seq field focusing on TAM and CAF identity and their crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid cancers.

Automated summary

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant subpopulations in several solid cancers and their number is linked to poor clinical outcomes. Stromal cells, such as cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a role in TAM recruitment, survival, and reprogramming. Single cell-RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) technologies have provided new insights into TAMs and CAFs, revealing their phenotypical and functional programs. This mini-review focuses on recent discoveries in sc-RNA seq regarding TAM and CAF identity and their crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid cancers.