Colonization of distant organs by neoplastic cells is a multistep process. First, cancer cells acquire the ability to grow invasively; second, they penetrate the vasculature; third, they survive in the circulation; and last effectively settle in the new metastatic location
[31]. TAMs are important players in almost every step of metastasis formation
[31]. Activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) on the surface of M2-like macrophages increases the level of IL-10, which promotes the EMT program, which plays an important role in the first steps of metastases
[32]. EMT can also be induced by proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα)
[33] and TGFβ
[34] released by TAMs (). During the EMT, epithelial cells lose cell-cell junction and acquire motile and invasive mesenchymal cell phenotype facilitating the passage through dismounted basement membranes. TAMs are also involved in the breakdown of the extracellular membrane around endothelium by the release of MMP9 and cathepsins, which results in vascular intravasation of tumor cells. Additionally, there is a positive feedback loop between macrophages and tumor cells: CSF-1 produced by tumor cells stimulates macrophage motility and secretion of EGF, which in turn supports chemotaxis of tumor cells into blood vessels
[35]. TAMs support the survival of cancer cells in the circulation by the interaction of α4 integrin with vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the surface of cancer cells. This interaction activates the PI3K/Akt survival pathway protecting cancer cells from the pro-apoptotic activity of molecules such as TRAIL
[36]. It was observed that tumor cells are in direct interaction with TAMs when crossing the endothelial cell layer into the blood vessel
[37]. Interaction of macrophages with tumor cells enhances extravasation. Before metastasis is formed, local changes occur in the target tissue leading to the creation of a premetastatic niche. Increased influx of macrophages into healthy tissue is an important step preceding the formation of metastases. Macrophages are attracted to the circulation by various agents released from tumor cells, including CSF-1, CCL-2, VEGF, TNFα, or TGFβ, and accumulate at pre-metastatic sites
[38]. Macrophages that appear in the site of future metastasis form migration tracks for cancer cells by remodeling of collagen fibers, which facilitates the invasion of cancer cells
[39]. TAMs shape the extracellular matrix by releasing growth factors deposited in the extracellular matrix, which results in the stimulation of neoangiogenesis, extravasation, and EMT
[31]. The above-mentioned processes show the role of TAMs in the enhancement of local tumor cell migration and distant metastasis formation.