Role of Tumor-Associated Neutrophils in the Molecular Carcinogenesis of the Lung

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review of the literature aims at giving a concise overview of the impact of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) on lung carcinogenesis. In the first part of this manuscript, the general action mode of TANs in cancer is depicted, listing studies on several cancer entities and on mouse models. The latter part of this work focuses specifically on TANs in lung cancer, giving an outlook on future therapeutic implications of cancer immunity, using, for example, anti-cancer vaccines. ABSTRACT: Tumorigenesis is largely influenced by accompanying inflammation. Myeloid cells account for a significant proportion of pro-inflammatory cells within the tumor microenvironment. All steps of tumor formation and progression, such as the suppression of adaptive immune response, angio- and lymphangiogenesis, and the remodeling of the tumor stroma, are to some degree influenced by tumor-associated immune cells. Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), together with tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, count among tumor-associated myeloid cells. Still, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the tumorigenic effects of TANs have not been investigated in detail. With this review of the literature, we aim to give an overview of the current data on TANs, with a special focus on lung cancer.