Mechanistic Research on the Crosstalk Between Macrophage Polarization and Energy Metabolic Reprogramming in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver cancer is ranked as the sixth most prevalent and the third deadliest cancer worldwide. Macrophages play a crucial role in cancer resistance mechanisms, and the regulation of their polarization state can alter their anti-tumor activity. Additionally, alterations in liver cancer pathways can shift the polarization of macrophages. Inflammatory agents and medications have the potential to alter macrophage polarization, favoring M1 differentiation and enhancing their anti-tumor activity. This review explores metabolic alterations in liver cancer, macrophage polarization processes, and their interconnections in hepatic oncogenesis. It further elaborates on the prospects and challenges of investigating targeted macrophage metabolism for liver cancer treatment. Modulating macrophage metabolic pathways represents a promising therapeutic approach for hepatic carcinoma.