Tumor-associated macrophages derived CCL18 promotes metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background Alternatively activated macrophages in tumor microenvironment is defined as M2 tumor-associated macrophages (M2 TAMs) that promote cancer progression. However, communicative mechanisms between M2 TAMs and cancer cells in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) remain largely unknown.