Anti-angiogenic and macrophage-based therapeutic strategies for glioma immunotherapy

Brain Tumor Pathol. 2021 Jul;38(3):149-155. doi: 10.1007/s10014-021-00402-5. Epub 2021 May 11.

Abstract

As a new concept of glioma therapy, immunotherapy combined with standard therapies is a promising modality to improve glioma patient survival. VEGF and its signaling pathway molecules not only inhibit angiogenesis but also may reinforce the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, including promotion of the accumulation of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this review, we discuss VEGF-targeted therapy as a new treatment option of the TAM-targeted therapy for high-grade gliomas, as well as other TAM-targeted therapies. The authors also discuss the potential of these therapies combined with conventional immunotherapies.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; Combination; Glioma; Immunotherapy; Tumor-associated macrophages.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Bevacizumab / pharmacology
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Brain Neoplasms / immunology
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / blood supply
  • Glioblastoma / immunology
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / immunology*
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / pathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / pharmacology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab