Angel or devil? For cancer, not all neutrophils are created equal

New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem shows that the most common form of white blood cells, called neutrophils, contain many different subtypes, of which some fight the development of cancer and others promote its progression. The research could help pave the way to new therapies that fight cancer by increasing anti-tumor neutrophils while limiting pro-tumor neutrophils.

Traditionally,cancer researchhas focused on trying to identify aspects of cancer development that can be exploited therapeutically through treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. In the last decade new approaches to cancer have involved activating the immune system against cancer cells without harming healthy tissue, which has proven effective in a limited range of patients.

However, in recent years it became apparent that in addition to thecancer cellsthemselves, there arehealthy cellssurrounding a tumor that play a critical role in promotingcancer development．这些细胞,提供一个支持中的发言ent that promotestumor growthand allows it to spread, are potential targets for new cancer therapies.

In this context the role ofneutrophils, which comprise between 50%-70% of allwhite blood cells, remains controversial. While neutrophils are traditionally associated with inflammation and fighting infections, accumulating data suggest they also play an important role in tumor biology.

In a new study published today in the journalCell Reports, scientists working with mouse tumors and human blood samples challenge the concept that mature neutrophils are limited in their ability to change and take on new characteristics. They also show that in contrast to current perceptions, neutrophils are not a homogeneous population of cells but rather consist of multiple subtypes.

博士领导的研究是Zvika Granot, Hebrew University's Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) in the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Zvi Fridlender, at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center's Institute of Pulmonary Medicine.

重要的是,研究人员发现,尽管一些neutrophils have anti-tumor properties, others in fact promote tumor progression. They also showed that in early stages of the disease, tumor-limiting neutrophils prevail. However, as cancer progresses the tumor-promoting neutrophil subpopulation that promotes tumors growth outcompete the tumor-limiting neutrophil subpopulation and the overall neutrophil contribution becomes tumor-promoting.

According to Dr. Granot, "The novel distinction between harmful and beneficial neutrophils opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. We are currently evaluating the effects of boosting the helpful anti-tumor neutrophil population, while limiting the tumor-promoting neutrophil population, on progression of the disease. If successful, this therapeutic strategy may take us closer to developing effective new therapies for cancer."

The research appears in the journalCell Reportsunder the title "Phenotypic diversity and plasticity in circulating neutrophil subpopulations in cancer."