Research progress of tumor associated macrophage in cervical cancer

Macrophages in tumor microenvironment are major cells involved in the inflammatory response. According to phenotypes, macrophages can be divided into M1, 2 macrophages. M1 macrophages can kill tumor cells by activating the type Ⅰ hypersensitivity. M2 macrophages can produce inhibitory immune factor to reduce immune response. Moreover, M2 macrophages can involve in the formation of tumor blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Macrophages in tumor microenvironment are thought to be the tumor associated macrophage (TAM). A great number of researches show TAM plays an important role in the process of invasion and metastasis of tumor. In recent years, the number of researches about the TAM in cervical cancer is increasing, which show TAM as well as the secretion of cytokines play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer. Moreover, TAM takes part in the formation of immunosuppression microenvironment. This paper focuses on the relationship between TAM and cervical cancer, and the possible regulation mechanism of the abnormal expression. Key words: Macrophages, tumor associated; Cervix uteri neoplasms; Suppressor factors, immunologic; Neoplasm metastasis; Neoplasm invasiveness; Inflammation