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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

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Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophils with Anti-Tumor Properties
Published on: June 19, 2015
Neutrophils in Tumorigenesis and Progression: Dual Roles and Clinical Translation.
Kexin Hu1, Hongyu Li2, Puwei Huang3
1School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, P.R. China.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Neutrophils play a dual role in cancer, promoting tumor growth or mediating anti-tumor immunity. Understanding neutrophil plasticity is key for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils are key innate immune cells involved in host defense.
- Emerging evidence highlights neutrophils' plasticity and heterogeneity in tumor biology.
- Tumor-derived factors influence neutrophil recruitment, reprogramming, and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual roles of neutrophils in cancer progression and anti-tumor immunity.
- To discuss revised concepts of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs).
- To outline clinical translation strategies, including biomarkers and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of neutrophil functions in cancer.
- Analysis of single-cell and spatial multi-omics data.
- Discussion of emerging concepts in neutrophil biology and cancer immunology.
Main Results:
- Neutrophils exhibit context-dependent pro-tumor (immune suppression, angiogenesis, metastasis) and anti-tumor effects.
- Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and PMN-MDSCs represent dynamic, overlapping populations.
- Neutrophil roles are shaped by maturation, metabolism, hypoxia, and tissue microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophil heterogeneity and plasticity are critical in cancer.
- Targeting pro-tumor neutrophils while preserving anti-tumor functions is a therapeutic goal.
- Further research is needed to refine biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for neutrophil modulation in cancer.
Keywords:
Clinical translationNETsNeutrophilsPMN-MDSCsTumor microenvironmentTumor-associated neutrophilsMore Related Videos
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