Theron, Annette J.Steel, Helen CarolynRapoport, Bernardo LeonAnderson, Ronald2021-07-202021-07-202020-11-20Theron, A.J., Steel, H.C., Rapoport, B.L. et al. 2020, 'Contrasting immunopathogenic and therapeutic roles of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in cancer', Pharmaceuticals, vol. 13, no. 11, art. 406, pp. 1-21.1424-8247 (online)10.3390/ph13110406http://hdl.handle.net/2263/80911Tumor cells are particularly adept at exploiting the immunosuppressive potential of neutrophils as a strategy to achieve uncontrolled proliferation and spread. Recruitment of neutrophils, particularly those of an immature phenotype, known as granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, is achieved via the production of tumor-derived granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and neutrophil-selective chemokines. This is not the only mechanism by which G-CSF contributes to tumor-mediated immunosuppression. In this context, the G-CSF receptor is expressed on various cells of the adaptive and innate immune systems and is associated with induction of T cell polarization towards the Th2 and regulatory T cell (Treg) phenotypes. In contrast to the potentially adverse e ects of sustained, endogenous production of G-CSF by tumor cells, stringently controlled prophylactic administration of recombinant (r) G-CSF is now a widely practiced strategy in medical oncology to prevent, and in some cases treat, chemotherapy-induced severe neutropenia. Following an overview of the synthesis, structure and function of G-CSF and its receptor, the remainder of this review is focused on: (i) e ects of G-CSF on the cells of the adaptive and innate immune systems; (ii) mechanisms by which this cytokine promotes tumor progression and invasion; and (iii) current clinical applications and potential risks of the use of rG-CSF in medical oncology.en© 2020 by the authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.CancerFebrile neutropeniaImmunosuppressionMyeloid-derived suppressor cellsNeutrophilsNeutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factorRegulatory T cellsT Helper 2 cellsGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)Article