Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (CD87) expression of tumor-associated macrophages in ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i>, breast cancer, and resident macrophages of normal breast tissue

activated macrophages with elevated uPAR levels belong to inflammatory areas in close vicinity of infiltrating and non-infiltrating (DCIS) tumor cells. Blood monocytes that possess elevated uPAR-levels may be selectively recruited from the bloodstream to inflammatory sites close to carcinoma cells, and/or breast cancer and precursor lesions may induce elevated uPAR-levels in TAMs by paracrine interactions.