Beyond T-Cells: Neutrophils Emerge as a New Frontier in Cancer Therapy

LONDON, UK – April 22, 2026 – The landscape of cancer immunotherapy, long dominated by T-cell-based treatments, may be on the cusp of a significant transformation. London-based LIfT BioSciences has ignited fresh excitement with the publication of a comprehensive review article in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Immunology, providing a robust scientific rationale for harnessing one of the immune system's most abundant but historically underestimated cells: the neutrophil.

The article, titled “Physiological, Patho-Physiological, and Potential Therapeutic Roles for Neutrophils in Cancer & Beyond,” consolidates a wave of recent discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of these cells. It argues that neutrophils are not just short-lived 'first responders' to infection but are in fact a diverse and adaptable force that can be weaponized against solid tumors, heralding a new class of cellular therapy.

A Paradigm Shift in Immunity

For decades, neutrophils were typecast in immunology textbooks as the immune system’s infantry—swarming to sites of injury to engulf pathogens before dying off within hours. Their role in cancer was often considered secondary, or even detrimental. However, the new review underscores a fundamental shift in this thinking, highlighting that neutrophils exist along a functional spectrum. On one end are the pro-tumour “N2-like” neutrophils, which can suppress other immune cells and help tumors grow and spread. On the other end are the anti-tumour “N1-like” neutrophils, which possess the ability to directly kill cancer cells and rally a broader anti-cancer immune attack.

The critical insight is that a patient's outcome may depend less on the total number of neutrophils and more on the balance between these opposing factions. This recognition opens a new therapeutic window: tipping the scales in favor of the tumor-destroying N1 phenotype.

“This publication reflects a fundamental shift in how we understand neutrophils in cancer immunity and their potential to be harnessed for novel therapies,” said Dr. Mark Exley, Chief Scientific Officer at LIfT and corresponding author of the review. “Its acceptance in a peer-reviewed journal underscores the growing recognition of neutrophils as a promising therapeutic avenue. We are now focused on advancing IMANs towards the clinic, building on compelling preclinical evidence of their anti-tumour activity.”

Engineering an Elite Anti-Tumor Force

Building on this new understanding, LIfT BioSciences has developed a proprietary platform to create what it calls Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs). These are not simply harvested neutrophils but are allogeneic (derived from healthy donors) hematopoietic stem cells that are differentiated and engineered to lock in the potent anti-tumor characteristics of the N1 phenotype.

Unlike their naturally occurring counterparts, IMANs are designed for therapeutic use with several key advantages. They are remarkably long-lived, surviving for about a month, which provides a sustained therapeutic window. They can also be produced at scale and cryopreserved, overcoming major logistical hurdles that have traditionally plagued cell therapies.

Crucially, IMANs are engineered to execute a two-pronged attack. First, they possess the innate ability to home in on and infiltrate solid tumors, where they can directly kill cancer cells. Second, and perhaps more importantly, they act as immunomodulators, releasing signals that recruit and activate the patient’s own elite immune cells, such as T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells. This orchestration of a wider immune response offers a powerful, antigen-agnostic strategy to overcome the suppressive tumor microenvironment that often renders other therapies ineffective.

A New Front Against Resistant Cancers

The potential of this new approach is being directed toward some of the most challenging and treatment-resistant malignancies. LIfT BioSciences is preparing for a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial in Ireland to evaluate the safety and feasibility of IMAN therapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and cervical cancer.

These cancers represent areas of profound unmet medical need. Survival for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC remains dismal, with median survival dropping to just six months for those who fail to respond to standard care, including checkpoint inhibitors. Similarly, while new biologics have improved outcomes in cervical cancer, a significant number of patients do not respond or eventually relapse, leaving them with few viable options.

The upcoming trial will be a landmark moment, testing whether the compelling preclinical data—which showed IMANs infiltrating tumors and reactivating anti-tumor immunity in vivo—can be translated into a safe and effective treatment for these vulnerable patient populations.

The Broader Wave of Innate Immunity

LIfT’s progress is part of a larger strategic pivot in oncology research. While CAR-T and checkpoint inhibitors have delivered remarkable cures for some patients, particularly those with blood cancers, their success in solid tumors has been more limited. This has prompted the industry to look beyond T-cells and explore the untapped potential of the innate immune system.

Research groups worldwide are now investigating ways to modulate innate immune cells. For instance, a recent study in Cell revealed that neutrophils could be metabolically programmed to act as antigen-presenting cells, enhancing the efficacy of PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in mice. This growing body of evidence suggests that therapies targeting neutrophils could not only work as standalone treatments but also synergize with existing immunotherapies, potentially turning non-responders into responders.

To translate this vision into reality, LIfT has been building a strong operational foundation. The company’s work is supported by a recent €12 million grant from Ireland's Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and a manufacturing partnership with Minaris Regenerative Medicine to produce clinical-grade IMANs. With a seasoned leadership team, including Chairman Dr. Antonin de Fougerolles, a veteran of biotech R&D, the company is methodically de-risking its path to the clinic. The upcoming trial will serve as the ultimate test of whether these re-engineered foot soldiers of the immune system can become medicine's next elite special force in the war against cancer.