Tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells as prototypic type II polarized myeloid populations

Environmental signals polarize mononuclear phagocytes which can express different functional programmes. Fully polarized type I and type II (or alternatively activated) macrophages are the extremes of a continuum of functional states. Tumor-derived and T cell-derived cytokines stimulate tumor associated macrophages (TAM) to acquire a polarized type II phenotype. These functionally polarized cells, and similarly oriented or immature dendritic cells present in tumors, play a key role in subversion of adaptive immunity and in inflammatory circuits which promote tumor growth and progression.