{
  "id": 9625965,
  "title": "CCR4+low-density neutrophils define a novel immunosuppressive subset associated with breast cancer progression and early mortality",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/ccr4-low-density-neutrophils-define-a-novel-immunosuppressive-subset",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.753474v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Neutrophils, once thought to solely fuel cancer progression, now appear to harbor a hidden subset that may be key to suppressing the immune system and promoting tumor growth. In breast cancer (BC), higher levels of low-density neutrophils (LDN), particularly those expressing CCR4, have been linked to worse outcomes. This novel CCR4+LDN subset, abundant in late-stage disease, correlates with accelerated progression and reduced survival. Serial blood samples reveal these cells fluctuate over time, with increases signaling near-term risk for metastatic patients. The CCR4+LDN subset is immunosuppressive, migrating more readily to tumor sites and hindering T cell-mediated tumor destruction, even when PD-1 blockade is employed. In a small study of Triple-Negative BC patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy, early changes in this population were tied to treatment response. These findings identify a distinct neutrophil population actively involved in immune evasion and tumor progression, making CCR4+LDN a minimally invasive real-time biomarker for disease course and treatment response, and suggesting a promising target for neutrophil-focused therapies in BC.",
  "summary": "Neutrophils are increasingly recognized as key players in cancer progression, yet their functional heterogeneity limits their therapeutic exploitation. In breast cancer (BC), elevated circulating and tumor-associated neutrophils have been associated with poor prognosis, and low-density neutrophils (LDN), particularly, have been linked to immunosuppression. However, the specific neutrophil subsets…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}