Neutrophil maturity in cancer

Neutrophils are implicated in almost every stage of oncogenesis and paradoxically display anti- and pro-tumour properties. Accumulating evidence indicates that neutrophils display diversity in their phenotype resulting from functional plasticity and/or changes to granulopoiesis. In cancer, neutrophils at a range of maturation stages can be identified in the blood and tissues (i.e. outside of their developmental niche). The functional capacity of neutrophils at different states of maturation is poorly understood resulting from challenges in their isolation, identification and investigation Thus, the impact of neutrophil maturity on cancer progression and therapy remains enigmatic. In this review, we discuss the identification, prevalence, and function of immature and mature neutrophils in cancer and the potential impact of this on tumour progression and cancer therapy.