Evaluating the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages into M1 and M2 phenotypes in human cancer tissue: technicalities and challenges in routine clinical practice

Authors :Jayasingam, S.D., Citartan, M., Thang, T.H., Mat Zin, A.A., Ang, K.C., Ch'ng, E.S.

Titles of Publication :Evaluating the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages into M1 and M2 phenotypes in human cancer tissue: technicalities and challenges in routine clinical practice

Journal Name :Frontiers in Oncology

Quartile :Q2

Impact Factor :4.848

Link :https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2019.01512

Description :This mini-review focuses on recent studies exploring clinical significance of M1/M2 TAM ratio in human cancer tissue and critically evaluates the technicalities and challenges in quantifying this parameter for routine clinical practice. Immunohistochemistry appears to be the preferred methodology for M1/M2 TAM evaluation as it is readily available in clinical laboratories, albeit with certain limitations. Recommendations are made to standardize the quantification of TAMs for better transition into clinical practice and for better comparison among studies in various populations of patients and cancer types