Inhibition of lung cancer growth by HangAmDan-B is mediated by macrophage activation to M1 subtype

Re-education of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward antitumor effectors may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the successful treatment of cancer. HangAmDan‑B (HAD‑B), a herbal formula, has been used for stimulating immune function and activation of vital energy to cancer patients in traditional Korean Medicine. Previous studies have reported the anti-angiogenic and anti‑metastatic effects of HAD‑B; however, evidence on the immunomodulatory action of HAD‑B was not demonstrated. In the present study, immunocompetent mice were used to demonstrate the suppression of the in vivo growth of allograft Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells, by HAD‑B. In addition, HAD‑B inhibited the in vitro growth of LLC cells by driving macrophages toward M1 polarization, but not through direct inhibition of tumor cell growth. Furthermore, culture media transfer of HAD‑B‑treated macrophages induced apoptosis of LLC cells. Results of the present study suggest that the antitumor effect of HAD‑B may be explained by stimulating the antitumor function of macrophages. Considering the importance of re‑educating TAMs in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment, the present study may confer another option for anti-cancer therapeutic strategy, using herbal medicines such as HAD-B.