Differential phagocytosis induces diverse macrophage activation states in malignant gliomas
This study highlights that macrophage fate is intimately linked to the molecular properties of what they phagocytose. Phagocytosis is not a singular, uniform process but a dynamic and context-dependent event that drives macrophage specialization and plasticity. By demonstrating that RT and anti-CD47 therapy shape distinct macrophage phenotypes through their effects on tumor immunogenicity, this study provides a framework for understanding how to harness and reprogram macrophage activity for therapeutic benefit. These findings underscore the potential of targeting macrophage plasticity as a strategy to enhance antitumor immunity and improve outcomes in malignant gliomas and other diseases.
Authors
- Kent Riemondy
- Rajeev Vibhakar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5949-3896)
- Bridget Sanford (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2173-0198)
- Nicholas K. Foreman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4848-4801)
- Senthilnath Lakshmanachetty (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3760-2772)
- Ilango Balakrishnan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8876-6144)
- Sujatha Venkataraman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1512-284X)
- Siddhartha S. Mitra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1829-7856)
- Nathan Dahl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2555-1741)
- Eric Prince (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7359-6608)
- Andrew M. Donson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1153-6911)
- Todd C. Hankinson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6288-9496)
- Vincent Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6491-1776)
Institutions
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Morgan Adams Foundation (US)
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (US)
- Neurological Surgery (US)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
- Published
- 2025-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2025-012211
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.59
Funders
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer
- American Brain Tumor Association
- Cancer League of Colorado
- Morgan Adams Foundation
- National Cancer Institute