Macrophages in the liver prevent metastasis by efficiently eliminating circulating tumor cells after monoclonal antibody immunotherapy

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are increasingly being used to treat cancer. In response to mAb therapy, we have identified macrophages in the liver as major effector cells removing circulating tumor cells via antibody-dependent phagocytosis, an immune cell-mediated process that prevented liver metastasis. This discovery extends our understanding of the mechanisms of mAb therapy, and may help to optimize mAb-based anticancer therapeutics. © 2014 Landes Bioscience.