Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAM) are key components of the reactive stroma of
tumors. In most, although not all cancers, their presence is associated with poor patient
prognosis. In addition to releasing cytokines and growth factors for tumor and endothelial
cells, a distinguished feature of TAM is their high-rate degradation of the extra-cellular
matrix. This incessant stroma remodelling favours the release of matrix-bound growth factors
and promotes tumor cell motility and invasion. In addition, TAM produce matrix proteins …