Targeting tumor associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contains numerous immune cell stroma, which constitutes the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the major compartment of immune cell stroma of HCC and play an important role in HCC pathogenesis, involving in immunosuppressive, angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis, metabolic support, drug resistance, and HCC stem cells malignant transformation. Current targeting TAMs to treat HCC have been achieved a promising therapeutic outcome by eliminating TAMs present, blocking recruitment of TAMs, reprogramming TAMs polarization, modulating TAMs products and restoring TAMs phagocytic capacity. This review summarizes what we have known on TAMs and HCC, discussing the roles of TAMs in HCC development and the possible approaches for TAMs-targeted therapy as potential targets for HCC treatment.