Background Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) exosomes regulate the biological behavior of tumor cells by transferring certain signaling molecules. These biovesicles have been extensively studied in breast cancer and colorectal cancer, but there is limited research on their role in laryngeal cancer.

Objective To investigate the effects of TAM exosomes on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of laryngeal cancer cells.

Methods Bioinformatics analysis was employed to explore the relationship between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and TAMs; M0 and M2 TAMs were induced and characterized using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The exosomes secreted by M0 and M2 macrophages (M0-exo and M2-exo) were extracted and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking, and Western blotting. Human laryngeal cancer cells (AMCHN-8) were divided into M0-exo and M2-exo groups, and the effects on cell proliferation were assessed using the CCK-8 assay and cell cloning formation assay. The impact on the motility of monolayer cells was evaluated using the cell scratch assay, while the 3D cell motility was assessed using the Transwell assay. The effect of M2-exo on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of laryngeal cancer cells, and consequently on their migration and invasion capacity, was validated by Western blotting.

Results Bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant enrichment of macrophages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The composition of immune cells within the tumor showed a higher expression proportion of M2 TAMs. Cultured M2 TAMs expressed characteristic cell surface markers. M2-exo exhibited the structural and biological features of exosomes. Compared to the M0-exo group, the M2-exo group showed significantly increased proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of AMCHN-8 cells, with statistically significant data.

Conclusion M2 TAM exosomes can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of laryngeal cancer cells.