Glioma-associated microglia/macrophages augment tumorigenicity in canine astrocytoma, a naturally occurring model of human glioma.

Background: Glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) markedly influence glioma progression. Under the influence of transforming growth factor beta (TGFB), GAMs are polarized toward a tumor-supportive phenotype. However, neither therapeutic targeting of GAM recruitment nor TGFB signaling demonstrated efficacy in glioma patients despite efficacy in preclinical models, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the TGFB/GAM axis.