Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39778768›Full record

ReviewJournal of advanced research2025

Targeting macrophages in cancer immunotherapy: Frontiers and challenges.

Yu'e Liu, Huabing Tan, Jingyuan Dai, Jianghua Lin, Kaijun Zhao, Haibo Hu, Chunlong Zhong

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of advanced research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 47 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
47citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

47 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Targeting CD24 Activates Macrophages to Reduce Tumor Burden in Preclinical Models of Solid Tumors.Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026
    Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Article
  10. Review
  11. Review
  12. Lipid nanoparticle-mediated in vivo generation of panCAR immune cells for solid tumor immunotherapy.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2026
    Article
  13. Review
  14. Review
  15. Review
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Targeting innate immunity to overcome immune evasion in HPV-associated cancers.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026
    Review
  19. Article
  20. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yu'e LiuDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: yueliu@tongji.edu.cn.
Huabing TanDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology Institute, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei Province 442000, China; General internal medicine, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430048, China.
Jingyuan DaiSchool of Computer Science and Information Systems, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO 64468, USA.
Jianghua LinDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
Kaijun ZhaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China. Electronic address: 2105794@tongji.edu.cn.
Haibo HuDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: dr_huhaibo@aliyun.com.
Chunlong ZhongDepartment of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China. Electronic address: drchunlongzhong@tongji.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCancer immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in cancer treatment, primarily realized through the manipulation of immune cells, notably T cell adoption and immune checkpoint blockade. Nevertheless, the manipulation of T cells encounters formidable hurdles. Macrophages, serving as the pivotal link between innate and adaptive immunity, play crucial roles in phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, and antigen presentation. Consequently, macrophage-targeted therapies have garnered significant attention. AIM OF REVIEW: We aim to provide the most cutting-edge insights and future perspectives for macrophage-targeted therapies, fostering the development of novel and effective cancer treatments. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: To date, the forefront strategies for macrophage targeting encompass: altering their plasticity, harnessing CAR-macrophages, and targeting phagocytosis checkpoints. Macrophages are characterized by their remarkable diversity and plasticity, offering a unique therapeutic target. In this context, we critically analyze the innovative strategies aimed at transforming macrophages from their M2 (tumor-promoting) to M1 (tumor-suppressing) phenotype. Furthermore, we delve into the design principles, developmental progress, and advantages of CAR-macrophages. Additionally, we illuminate the challenges encountered in targeting phagocytosis checkpoints on macrophages and propose potential strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Indexed as

ImmunotherapyMacrophagesNeoplasmsAnimalsHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmune Checkpoint ProteinsImmunotherapy, AdoptivePhagocytosisReceptors, Chimeric AntigenTumor-Associated MacrophagesTumor MicroenvironmentImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmune Checkpoint ProteinsReceptors, Chimeric AntigenCancer immunotherapyCAR macrophageMacrophage polarizationPhagocytosis checkpoints

Identifiers

PMID39778768
PMCPMC12793739

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.