fig3

Figure 3. Targeting TAMs may be a promising therapeutic modality in the treatment of HCC. There are five main strategies to combat TAMs presented within the yellow boxes. However, only pexidartinib, which reduces M2 cells, has been approved by the FDA for use in human tenosynovial giant cell tumors. CD163 inhibitors appear promising, as their inhibition may reverse the immunocompromised response in HCC. M1: Classically activated macrophage; M2: alternatively activated macrophage; TAMs: tumor-associated macrophages; TA: tumor-associated; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; TIM-3: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3; CCL2: C-C motif chemokine ligand 2; CCR2: C-C motif chemokine receptor 2; IFNγ: interferon gamma; CD40: cluster of differentiation 40; TLR: Toll-like receptor; CSF1R: colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor; CD163: cluster of differentiation 163; CD47: cluster of differentiation 47; Treg: regulatory T cell; Th17: T helper 17 cell; FDA: Food and Drug Administration.