Neutrophils in cancer

Neutrophils, long appreciated for their central role in host defences, have largely pro-tumorigenic effects in cancer owing to their sensitivity to signals in the tumour environment. Cancers regularly co-opt the functions of neutrophils to promote angiogenesis, immunosuppression, tumour growth and metastasis. However, depending on context, many of the same neutrophil-derived factors involved in these processes can mediate tumour cell killing. In this Review, we examine the functions of neutrophils and their impact on cancer, drawing parallels between their roles in cancer and non-cancer contexts, and highlighting their remarkable sensitivity to environmental cues. We call attention to promising strategies for targeting and manipulating neutrophils for the treatment of cancer.