Chemotherapy-induced macrophage CXCL7 expression drives tumor chemoresistance via the STAT1/PHGDH-serine metabolism axis and SAM paracrine feedback to M2 polarization

Abstract

Chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major obstacle in clinical oncology. Analysis of clinical specimens from chemotherapy-resistant patients revealed elevated CXCL7 expression in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Through integrated in vitro and in vivo studies, we demonstrated that chemotherapy induces tumor cell-macrophage crosstalk, leading to CXCL7 upregulation in TAMs. Using a co-culture system, we observed that CXCL7+ macrophages confer chemoresistance to CRC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CXCL7 activates the CXCR2 receptor on tumor cells, triggering interferon signaling and promoting serine metabolism through STAT1-dependent transcriptional upregulation of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), the key enzyme in serine biosynthesis. This metabolic reprogramming enhances the paracrine secretion of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which drives chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, CXCL7-mediated the paracrine secretion of SAM in tumor cells, which in turn promotes M2 macrophage polarization and sustains CXCL7 expression in TAMs. Our findings reveal that a CXCL7-SAM feedback loop between tumor cells and macrophages establishes a chemoresistant niche. This interaction represents a promising therapeutic target for overcoming chemoresistance in CRC.