Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the common urologic neoplasms, and its incidence has
been increasing over the past several decades; however, its pathogenesis is still unknown up to now.
Recent studies have found that in addition to tumor cells, other cells in the tumor microenvironment
also affect the biological behavior of the tumor. Among them, macrophages exist in a large amount in
tumor microenvironment, and they are generally considered to play a key role in promoting tumorigenesis.
Therefore, we summarized the recent researches on macrophage in the invasiveness and progression
of RCC in latest years, and we also introduced and discussed many studies about macrophage
in RCC to promote angiogenesis by changing tumor microenvironment and inhibit immune response in
order to activate tumor progression. Moreover, macrophage interactes with various cytokines to promote
tumor proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and it also promotes tumor stem cell formation and
induces drug resistance in the progression of RCC. The highlight of this review is to make a summary
of the roles of macrophage in the invasion and progression of RCC; at the same time to raise some
potential and possible targets for future RCC therapy.
Combination therapy using molecular-targeted drugs modulates tumor microenvironment and impairs tumor growth in renal cell carcinoma
