Pharmacological modulation of monocytes and macrophages

• Macrophages are a key component of chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling.
• Tumor-associated macrophages have served as a paradigm for macrophage plasticity.
• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy affect macrophage function.
• Innovative strategies targeting macrophages may pave the way to innovative therapies.

Mononuclear phagocytes are major players in diverse pathological conditions which include chronic inflammatory diseases, infection, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Plasticity is a fundamental property of cells of the monocyte–macrophage lineage and a variety of modulators profoundly affect monocytes and macrophages. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) provide a paradigm for macrophage plasticity and anticancer therapeutic modalities (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy) profoundly affect their function. The development of innovative strategies targeting cells of the monocyte–macrophage lineage may pave the way to innovative therapies for a wide range of diseases.