Macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1)

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), also known as M-CSF, is a hematopoietic growth factor and cytokine essential for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of the monocyte-macrophage lineage (UniProt P09603). It functions by binding to the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R), a tyrosine kinase receptor, triggering downstream signaling pathways like MAPK and PI3K/Akt that regulate cellular processes (NCBI Gene ID: 1435). In many solid tumors, CSF1 is overexpressed by cancer cells, which recruits tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that facilitate tumor progression, immunosuppression, and metastasis (PubMed: 26910395). Because of this role, CSF1 is a key target for immunotherapy, with drugs like MCS110 designed to neutralize the ligand and deplete immunosuppressive TAMs within the tumor microenvironment (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01643850). Additionally, CSF1 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and bone disorders like osteoporosis due to its critical role in osteoclast development and maturation (PubMed: 22438718). Therapeutic intervention typically involves monoclonal antibodies to block the ligand-receptor axis, though safety monitoring for liver toxicity and bone health is required.

Other names

M-CSFCSF-1Macrophage colony-stimulating factorLanimostimMCSF

Ligand neutralization via monoclonal antibodies to prevent binding and activation of the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R), or administration of recombinant ligand as an agonist.