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Dasatinib is a potent inhibitor of tumour-associated macrophages, osteoclasts and the FMS receptor

Leukemia volume 23, pages 590–594 (2009)Cite this article

There is a growing realisation that the non-cancerous cell types present in the microenvironment of tumours, lymphomas and leukaemias are important auxiliary targets for drug development.1, 2 In particular, most tumours contain substantial numbers of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), and these appear to be polarised towards an M2 macrophage phenotype, which is normally associated with the promotion of angiogenesis and the stimulation of tissue growth.1, 2 M2 macrophages are important for wound healing but in a tumour these same macrophage properties are now thought to promote tumour progression and metastasis.1, 2 Another property of TAMs is that they may also down modulate the activity of T cells against tumourigenic cells.3

The FMS receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1) is closely related to the KIT and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors and is important for the production of macrophages, osteoclasts and microglial cells.4, 5 In addition to tumourigenesis, these cell types are also implicated in various inflammatory, bone and neurological diseases; consequently the FMS receptor is a highly promising therapeutic target.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

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Acknowledgements

We thank Senem Ertan-Ahmed, David Marin and Kikkeri Naresh for helpful discussions and are also thankful to Malcolm Parker, Robert Winston and the IOG Trust for consumable contributions. CH is funded by Ovarian Cancer Action. NB is a recipient of a BBSRC studentship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, UK

    N Brownlow, S Ghaem-Maghami & N J Dibb

  2. Takeda San Diego Inc., 10410 Science Centre Drive, San Diego, CA, USA

    C Mol

  3. Department of Oncology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, UK

    C Hayford

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  1. N Brownlow
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Correspondence to N J Dibb.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Leukaemia website (http://www.nature.com/leu)

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Brownlow, N., Mol, C., Hayford, C. et al. Dasatinib is a potent inhibitor of tumour-associated macrophages, osteoclasts and the FMS receptor. Leukemia 23, 590–594 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2008.237

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