Research from Tel Aviv University reveals that, in murine models, neutrophils are actively recruited by the tumor microenvironment, significantly driving metastasis in advanced breast cancer.
Oncologists now recognize that the classic view of neutrophils as bystanders in advanced breast cancer must be revised. The surrounding area of the tumor, known as the tumor microenvironment, creates chemical signals that attract neutrophils, contributing to a tumor-friendly environment. Recent work on the role of the tumor microenvironment in triple-negative and inflammatory subtypes underscores how neutrophil infiltration fuels angiogenesis and stromal remodeling. As innate immune system cells, neutrophils release proteases, growth factors, and extracellular traps that drive tumor progression, and earlier findings from Tel Aviv University demonstrate they accelerate local invasion and metastatic seeding.
Targeted disruption of this neutrophil-tumor axis has emerged as a novel strategy to impede progression. The Tel Aviv University report also demonstrated that blockade of neutrophil chemotaxis receptors reduced metastatic burden in murine models, indicating that anti-granulocyte agents could complement existing regimens. Beyond direct blockade, circulating biomarkers of neutrophil activation—such as elevated neutrophil extracellular trap components—present potential tools for patient stratification and treatment monitoring, as noted earlier.
Addressing dormant tumor cells represents another frontier where neutrophil modulation may prove crucial. Canadian research has pinpointed pathways sustaining cell dormancy in breast cancer, raising the possibility that inhibiting neutrophil-mediated awakening signals could forestall relapse. Integrating these insights into trials may allow preemptive targeting of latent clones before they fuel overt disease.
As clinical practice adapts, routine assessment of neutrophil-driven inflammation and targeted enrollment into trials of neutrophil-tumor interaction inhibitors will be essential. Combining checkpoint blockade or hormone therapy with agents that neutralize neutrophil pro-tumor factors could recalibrate the tumor microenvironment in favor of durable responses.
Key Takeaways:- Neutrophils in the tumor microenvironment significantly drive tumor progression in advanced breast cancer.
- Targeting neutrophil-tumor interactions presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
- Biomarkers of neutrophil activity may enhance diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
- Innovative therapies targeting dormant cells offer hope for reducing recurrence.