Tumour-associated macrophages as a prototypic type II polarised phagocyte population: role in tumour progression

Macrophages are versatile, plastic cells which respond to micro-environmental signals with distinct functional programmes. In the tumour microenvironment, tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) polarise towards a type II phenotype, oriented to the promotion of tissue remodelling and repair. As polarised type II macrophages, TAM are a key component of the inflammatory circuits that promote tumour progression. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.