Haemosiderin-Laden Macrophages (HLMs): Current Understanding and Clinical Relevance

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key components of the tumour microenvironment, playing a significant role in tumour progression. There are two main types of macrophages: M1 and M2, which differ in their activation mechanisms and functions. M1 macrophages are involved in the inflammatory and antitumour response, while M2 macrophages play a key role in regulating the inflammatory response, tissue repair and promote tumour growth, including angiogenesis and facilitating tumour cell migration. TAMs play a key role in tumour metastasist hrough a variety of mechanisms. In addition, macrophages, including haemosiderinladen macrophages (HLMs), are involved in iron management in the body. Depending on their polarity, HLMs can sequester iron (M1) or release it (M2), which affects tumour growth. HLMs have been studied in various non-cancerous and cancerous processes in humans and animals. Their role has been the subject of numerous studies, but their impact on cancer development is still not fully understood.