The article discusses the role of macrophages in cancer therapy, highlighting their dual nature as both tumor promoters and potential therapeutic targets. Macrophages play crucial roles in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and immunosuppression. However, they can also mediate phagocytosis of cancer cells and cytotoxic tumor killing, and interact with the innate and adaptive immune systems. Targeting macrophages in cancer therapy involves inhibiting cytokines and chemokines that recruit and polarize tumor-promoting myeloid cells, as well as activating their antitumorigenic and immunostimulating functions. Early clinical trials suggest that targeting negative regulators of myeloid cell function has antitumor potential. Additionally, macrophages are being explored as candidates for cell therapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor effector cells. The article reviews strategies to exploit macrophages in cancer therapy, including the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in conventional anticancer treatments and their impact on immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. It also discusses the challenges and limitations of targeting TAMs, such as the diversity and plasticity of mononuclear phagocytes, and the need for more effective targeting strategies.The article discusses the role of macrophages in cancer therapy, highlighting their dual nature as both tumor promoters and potential therapeutic targets. Macrophages play crucial roles in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and immunosuppression. However, they can also mediate phagocytosis of cancer cells and cytotoxic tumor killing, and interact with the innate and adaptive immune systems. Targeting macrophages in cancer therapy involves inhibiting cytokines and chemokines that recruit and polarize tumor-promoting myeloid cells, as well as activating their antitumorigenic and immunostimulating functions. Early clinical trials suggest that targeting negative regulators of myeloid cell function has antitumor potential. Additionally, macrophages are being explored as candidates for cell therapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor effector cells. The article reviews strategies to exploit macrophages in cancer therapy, including the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in conventional anticancer treatments and their impact on immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. It also discusses the challenges and limitations of targeting TAMs, such as the diversity and plasticity of mononuclear phagocytes, and the need for more effective targeting strategies.