PO-359 Macrophage polarisation and squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

IntroductionMacrophages comprise most of the infiltrating cells associated with solid tumours, and affect various aspects of tumour progression such as matrix remodelling, angiogenesis, dissemination and invasion. An important feature of macrophages is their functional plasticity in response to environmental signals. Macrophages and related cell types in mouse and human tumours generally have an M2 phenotype, which might promote tumour growth and suppress adaptive immunity.Material and methodsTherefore, we aimed to evaluate the presence of M1 and M2 macrophages in mouse and human squamous cell carcinoma.Results and discussionsTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), independently of their M1/M2 polarisation profile, were identified in mouse and human squamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of macrophages phenotypes in tumour lesions shows that wild-type mice exhibited higher frequency of M2 macrophages.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the development of SCC was associated with specific and significant frequency of M2 macrophages in tumour samples.