Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment

Chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression are major causes of tumor treatment failure. The polarization state of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a central regulatory hub for both processes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and mu...

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Main Authors: Yafeng Qi, Jingnan Yan, Xixi Huang, Xiaodan Jiang, Rongrong Li, Jiayi Wan, Yangyang Li, Zhiming Miao, Zhongyang Song, Yongqi Liu, Liying Zhang, Zhiming Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmacological Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825002130
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author Yafeng Qi
Jingnan Yan
Xixi Huang
Xiaodan Jiang
Rongrong Li
Jiayi Wan
Yangyang Li
Zhiming Miao
Zhongyang Song
Yongqi Liu
Liying Zhang
Zhiming Zhang
author_facet Yafeng Qi
Jingnan Yan
Xixi Huang
Xiaodan Jiang
Rongrong Li
Jiayi Wan
Yangyang Li
Zhiming Miao
Zhongyang Song
Yongqi Liu
Liying Zhang
Zhiming Zhang
author_sort Yafeng Qi
collection DOAJ
description Chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression are major causes of tumor treatment failure. The polarization state of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a central regulatory hub for both processes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway. It regulating M1/M2 polarization is promising due to the high plasticity of TAMs. This review comprehensively explores the anti-tumor effects of TCM active components through multiple targets such as metabolic reprogramming. The mechanism includes regulating TAM's polarization, reversing chemotherapy resistance, and modulating immunosuppression. Furthermore, we also summarize the synergistic effects of TCM multi-component and the exploration of mechanisms promoted by new technologies. While most studies are still in the preclinical stage, these insights highlight the potential of TCM as a cancer treatment and highlight avenues for future research and clinical application to improve patient outcomes.
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institution OA Journals
issn 1096-1186
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Pharmacological Research
spelling doaj-art-1c8430be2cec49c9be4c6e4624ae30a22025-08-20T02:32:20ZengElsevierPharmacological Research1096-11862025-06-0121610778810.1016/j.phrs.2025.107788Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironmentYafeng Qi0Jingnan Yan1Xixi Huang2Xiaodan Jiang3Rongrong Li4Jiayi Wan5Yangyang Li6Zhiming Miao7Zhongyang Song8Yongqi Liu9Liying Zhang10Zhiming Zhang11Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, ChinaProvincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Dunhuang Medicine and Transformation at Provincial and Ministerial Level, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China; College of Basic Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China; Correspondence to: No.35 Dingxi East Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and the Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China; College of Basic Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China; Correspondence to: No.35 Dingxi East Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.Department of Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China; Correspondence to: No.418 Guazhou Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China.Chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression are major causes of tumor treatment failure. The polarization state of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a central regulatory hub for both processes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway. It regulating M1/M2 polarization is promising due to the high plasticity of TAMs. This review comprehensively explores the anti-tumor effects of TCM active components through multiple targets such as metabolic reprogramming. The mechanism includes regulating TAM's polarization, reversing chemotherapy resistance, and modulating immunosuppression. Furthermore, we also summarize the synergistic effects of TCM multi-component and the exploration of mechanisms promoted by new technologies. While most studies are still in the preclinical stage, these insights highlight the potential of TCM as a cancer treatment and highlight avenues for future research and clinical application to improve patient outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825002130Natural productTumor-associated macrophage (TAM)ChemoresistanceImmunosuppressionTherapeutic potential
spellingShingle Yafeng Qi
Jingnan Yan
Xixi Huang
Xiaodan Jiang
Rongrong Li
Jiayi Wan
Yangyang Li
Zhiming Miao
Zhongyang Song
Yongqi Liu
Liying Zhang
Zhiming Zhang
Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
Pharmacological Research
Natural product
Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)
Chemoresistance
Immunosuppression
Therapeutic potential
title Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
title_full Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
title_fullStr Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
title_full_unstemmed Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
title_short Targeting tumor-associated macrophage polarization with traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients: Dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
title_sort targeting tumor associated macrophage polarization with traditional chinese medicine active ingredients dual reversal of chemoresistance and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment
topic Natural product
Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)
Chemoresistance
Immunosuppression
Therapeutic potential
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825002130
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