The Role of Neutrophils in Tumor Progression and Metastasis

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Metastasis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2025 | Viewed by 1105

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
Interests: chemokines; angiogenesis; metastasis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
Interests: metastasis; prostate; breast; neutrophils; bone

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A growing body of evidence indicates that the interactions between neoplastic cells and inflammatory cells play an important role in tumor pathogenesis. These interactions are mediated by inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, leading to the recruitment of tumor-stromal-associated myeloid and endothelial cells that directly and indirectly promote tumor angiogenesis, progression, and metastasis.  Neutrophils—the most abundant white blood cells in the circulation system—constitute a significant part of the tumor microenvironment, playing major roles in inflammation and cancer, and are highly involved in progression and metastasis. Additionally, abundant data suggest that neutrophils could be considered as emerging targets for multiple cancer types. This Special Issue will focus on the most recent advances in tumor-associated neutrophil recruitment, activation, and functions within the tumor microenvironment, regulating the progression and metastasis as well as development of TAN-targeted therapeutics.

Dr. Rakesh K. Singh
Dr. Leah M. Cook
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • neutrophils
  • innate immunity
  • tumor
  • microenvironment
  • metastasis
  • targeted therapeutics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

33 pages, 10838 KiB  
Review
Neutrophils and Neutrophil-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Anti-Cancer Therapy
by Hicham Wahnou, Riad El Kebbaj, Soufyane Hba, Zaynab Ouadghiri, Othman El Faqer, Aline Pinon, Bertrand Liagre, Youness Limami and Raphaël Emmanuel Duval
Cancers 2025, 17(7), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17071232 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 615
Abstract
Neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells, play a dual role in cancer progression. While they can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and immune suppression, they also exhibit anti-tumorigenic properties by attacking cancer cells and enhancing immune responses. This review explores the complex interplay [...] Read more.
Neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells, play a dual role in cancer progression. While they can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and immune suppression, they also exhibit anti-tumorigenic properties by attacking cancer cells and enhancing immune responses. This review explores the complex interplay between neutrophils and the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting their ability to switch between pro- and anti-tumor phenotypes based on external stimuli. Pro-tumorigenic neutrophils facilitate tumor growth through mechanisms such as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and immune evasion strategies. They contribute to angiogenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Conversely, anti-tumor neutrophils enhance cytotoxicity by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), promoting antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and activating other immune cells such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Recent advances in neutrophil-based drug delivery systems have harnessed their tumor-homing capabilities to improve targeted therapy. Neutrophil-mimicking nanoparticles and membrane-coated drug carriers offer enhanced drug accumulation in tumors, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, strategies to modulate neutrophil activity, such as inhibiting their immunosuppressive functions or reprogramming them towards an anti-tumor phenotype, are emerging as promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Understanding neutrophil plasticity and their interactions with the TME provides new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Targeting neutrophil-mediated mechanisms could enhance existing cancer treatments and lead to the development of novel immunotherapies, ultimately improving patient survival and clinical outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Neutrophils in Tumor Progression and Metastasis)
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