Selective targeting of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide showing a high resistance to therapy, sorafenib being the only drug prolonging life of patients for a few months. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which show alternative (M2) polarization and suppress immune function and promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis are valid therapeutic targets within the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, selective targeting of M2 macrophages in the tumors is a highly promising anti-tumor strategy. However, this has not yet been achieved. Recently, the peptide M2pep wa…