Neutrophils in Cancer: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Overview

Journal J Immunol Res

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2016 Jan 29

PMID 26819959

Citations 212

Authors

Eileen Uribe-Querol

Carlos Rosales

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in blood and are considered to be the first line of defense during inflammation and infections. In addition, neutrophils are also found infiltrating many types of tumors. Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) have relevant roles in malignant disease. Indeed neutrophils may be potent antitumor effector cells. However, increasing clinical evidence shows TANs correlate with poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment controls neutrophil recruitment and in turn TANs help tumor progression. Hence, TANs can be beneficial or detrimental to the host. It is the purpose of this review to highlight these two sides of the neutrophil coin in cancer and to describe recent studies that provide some light on the mechanisms for neutrophil recruitment to the tumor, for neutrophils supporting tumor progression, and for neutrophil activation to enhance their antitumor functions.

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