Granulocytes (basophils, mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils) are specialized effector cells of the immune system, with certain shared similarities, known to play pivotal non-redundant roles in innate and adaptive immune responses and with a central capacity to interact with other essential cells of the immune system.  Mast cells, basophils and eosinophils along with IgE activation have essential role in allergic inflammation and neutrophils in host defense, but newly identified activities in which they participate under both physiologic and pathologic conditions are increasing. Importantly, evidence of their participation in cancer immunity is growing. They are known to infiltrate several types of tumors and accumulation in tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated in cancer mouse models and primary human tumors. Several reports describe disparate effects depending on the tumor model studied (from solid tumor to hematological malignancies), so to define whether they exert a specific pro- or anti-tumoral activity remains a challenge. Thanks to their wide range of mediators, plasticity towards tumor microenvironment and inherent ability to interact with other innate and adaptive cells, they can play part in tissue remodeling, angiogenesis and consequently tumor growth. Understanding their role in the different stages of cancer and allergic disease definitely can open the door for the definition of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis but also for encountering new targets and therapeutic strategies. Due to the challenging relevance of these novel data reported in the last years and that it is continuously increasing given the growing interest and its potential clinical relevance, a well-coordinated framework in the field is required to properly and coordinately spread the data encountered to the scientific community, and specifically to the EAACI’s one, but also to join efforts to further gain expertise towards a common goal.

WG AllergoOncology (Basic & Clinical Immunology Section)

Chair: Mariona Pascal
Secretary: Sophia Kargagiannis