Macrophages in Lymphoma: Advances in Biology and Treatment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is now recognized as a crucial factor in the development of cancer, impacting treatment strategies and resistance mechanisms. Current research indicates that the TME plays a significant role in various types of lymphoma. The diversity and prevalence of immune cells in the TME can vary greatly, and their composition and activity are believed to be key factors influencing disease progression. Emerging evidence indicates that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important component of the TME and play a significant role in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, tumor proliferation and metastasis, immunosuppression, resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Molecules have been developed to target TAMs to treat lymphoma, and several clinical studies have investigated the safety and efficacy of targeted macrophage therapies. In this review, we summarize the roles of macrophages; elucidate distinct types of macrophage-targeted strategies that have been used to address lymphoma in preclinical experiments and clinical trials, and outline therapeutic approaches that are currently under development.