TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review

Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts a profound influence on the progression of cancer cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant cell population within the TME, exhibit a complex, dual role. On the one hand, TAMs promote inflammation and help eliminate cancer cells...

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Main Authors: M. Yerolatsite, N. Torounidou, A. Batistatou, K. Katsanos, E. Lampri, A.-L. Amylidi, D. Mauri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949819824000918
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author M. Yerolatsite
N. Torounidou
A. Batistatou
K. Katsanos
E. Lampri
A.-L. Amylidi
D. Mauri
author_facet M. Yerolatsite
N. Torounidou
A. Batistatou
K. Katsanos
E. Lampri
A.-L. Amylidi
D. Mauri
author_sort M. Yerolatsite
collection DOAJ
description Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts a profound influence on the progression of cancer cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant cell population within the TME, exhibit a complex, dual role. On the one hand, TAMs promote inflammation and help eliminate cancer cells; on the other hand, they often adopt an anti-inflammatory role that contributes to the evolution of cancer cells. Furthermore, the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) signaling pathway plays a critical role in both the adaptive and innate immune responses. This study aims to understand the roles of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling network in esophageal cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published data using the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane databases. We included articles that investigated the coexistence of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in esophageal cancer. Studies that evaluated the clinical prognosis of patients with elevated levels of PD-1-positive TAMs were also incorporated. Results: Six articles comprising a total of 822 patients were included in the review. The data indicate a positive correlation between PD-L1 expression and TAMs infiltration. Additionally, patients with high levels of PD-1-positive TAMs tend to have a worse prognosis compared with those with lower levels. Conclusions: TAMs play a crucial role in regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 network and the progression of esophageal cancer. Further studies are necessary, however, to clarify the roles of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 network in esophageal cancers.
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spelling doaj-art-7e8dbcb17c344e69ac347d6ab762f87a2025-08-20T02:07:40ZengElsevierESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology2949-81982025-03-01710013010.1016/j.esmogo.2024.100130TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature reviewM. Yerolatsite0N. Torounidou1A. Batistatou2K. Katsanos3E. Lampri4A.-L. Amylidi5D. Mauri6Department of Medical Oncology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; Correspondence to: Ms Melina Yerolatsite, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece. Tel: +30-2651099394Department of Medical Oncology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Pathology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Gastroenterology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Pathology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Medical Oncology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Medical Oncology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GreeceBackground: The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts a profound influence on the progression of cancer cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant cell population within the TME, exhibit a complex, dual role. On the one hand, TAMs promote inflammation and help eliminate cancer cells; on the other hand, they often adopt an anti-inflammatory role that contributes to the evolution of cancer cells. Furthermore, the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) signaling pathway plays a critical role in both the adaptive and innate immune responses. This study aims to understand the roles of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling network in esophageal cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published data using the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane databases. We included articles that investigated the coexistence of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in esophageal cancer. Studies that evaluated the clinical prognosis of patients with elevated levels of PD-1-positive TAMs were also incorporated. Results: Six articles comprising a total of 822 patients were included in the review. The data indicate a positive correlation between PD-L1 expression and TAMs infiltration. Additionally, patients with high levels of PD-1-positive TAMs tend to have a worse prognosis compared with those with lower levels. Conclusions: TAMs play a crucial role in regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 network and the progression of esophageal cancer. Further studies are necessary, however, to clarify the roles of TAMs and the PD-1/PD-L1 network in esophageal cancers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949819824000918tumor microenvironment (TME)tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)PD-1/PD-L1esophageal cancer
spellingShingle M. Yerolatsite
N. Torounidou
A. Batistatou
K. Katsanos
E. Lampri
A.-L. Amylidi
D. Mauri
TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology
tumor microenvironment (TME)
tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)
immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)
PD-1/PD-L1
esophageal cancer
title TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
title_full TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
title_fullStr TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
title_full_unstemmed TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
title_short TAMs and PD-1 networking in esophageal cancer: literature review
title_sort tams and pd 1 networking in esophageal cancer literature review
topic tumor microenvironment (TME)
tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)
immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)
PD-1/PD-L1
esophageal cancer
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949819824000918
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