Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are critical drivers of tumor progression and metastatic dissemination through their ability to shape the tumor microenvironment. Distinct macrophage subsets display diverse transcriptional and secretory profiles, yet the key mediators of cancer cell invasiveness remain incompletely defined.

In parallel, stromal components such as fibroblasts—particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)—play an essential role in modulating tumor behavior.

Here, we combine a human macrophage platform, transcriptomic data reuse, and physiologically relevant 3D tumor models to identify macrophage-derived drivers of invasion within a multicellular context.