Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510150, P.R. China.
Department of Stomatology, Yantian District People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518081, P.R. China.
Int J Oncol. 2023 Nov;63(5). doi: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5574. Epub 2023 Sep 15.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a specific subset of cells found within tumors that are responsible for initiating, advancing and resisting traditional cancer treatments. M2 macrophages, also known as alternatively activated macrophages, contribute to the development and progression of cancer through their involvement in promoting angiogenesis, suppressing the immune system, supporting tumor growth and facilitating metastasis. Exosomes, tiny vesicles released by cells, play a crucial role in intercellular communications and have been shown to be associated with cancer development and progression by influencing the immune response; thus, they may serve as markers for diagnosis and prognosis. Currently, investigating the impact of exosomes derived from M2 macrophages on the maintenance of CSCs is a crucial area of research with the aim of developing novel therapeutic strategies to target this process and improve outcomes for individuals with cancer. Understanding the biological functions of exosomes derived from M2 macrophages and their involvement in cancer may lead to the formulation of novel diagnostic tools and treatments for this disease. By targeting M2 macrophages and the exosomes they secrete, promising prospects emerge for cancer treatment, given their substantial contribution to cancer development and progression. Further research is required to fully grasp the intricate interactions between CSCs, M2 macrophages and exosomes in cancer, and to identify fresh targets for cancer therapy. The present review explores the pivotal roles played by exosomes derived from M2 cells in maintaining the stem‑like properties of cancer cells.
肿瘤中存在的癌症干细胞（CSCs）构成了一个特定的细胞亚群，它们负责引发、推进和抵抗传统的癌症治疗。M2 巨噬细胞，也被称为交替激活的巨噬细胞，通过参与促进血管生成、抑制免疫系统、支持肿瘤生长和促进转移，促进癌症的发展和进展。外泌体是细胞释放的微小囊泡，在细胞间通讯中发挥着关键作用，并通过影响免疫反应与癌症的发展和进展有关；因此，它们可以作为诊断和预后的标志物。目前，研究 M2 巨噬细胞衍生的外泌体对 CSCs 维持的影响是一个关键的研究领域，旨在开发新的治疗策略来靶向这一过程，并改善癌症患者的预后。了解 M2 巨噬细胞衍生的外泌体的生物学功能及其在癌症中的作用，可能会为这种疾病带来新的诊断工具和治疗方法。通过靶向 M2 巨噬细胞及其分泌的外泌体，为癌症治疗带来了广阔的前景，因为它们对癌症的发展和进展做出了巨大贡献。需要进一步的研究来充分了解 CSCs、M2 巨噬细胞和外泌体在癌症中的复杂相互作用，并确定癌症治疗的新靶点。本综述探讨了 M2 细胞衍生的外泌体在维持癌细胞干性方面所起的关键作用。
