Eosinophils in Tumor Immunology

Eosinophils are granulocytic leukocytes traditionally associated with parasitic defence and allergic inflammation. In recent years they have emerged as versatile modulators within the tumour microenvironment, capable of exerting both pro- and anti-tumourigenic actions. Upon recruitment by chemokines and alarmins, eosinophils release a repertoire of cytotoxic granule proteins, cytokines and lipid mediators that can influence vascular permeability, extracellular matrix remodelling and the activation of other immune effectors. In some contexts, eosinophils promote antitumour immunity by facilitating T-cell infiltration, supporting dendritic cell maturation and polarising macrophages towards a tumour-suppressive phenotype. Under different microenvironmental cues, however, they may also contribute to immunosuppression, tissue remodelling and tumour progression. Understanding the signals that tip the balance of eosinophil function has become central to harnessing or inhibiting their activity in immunotherapeutic strategies. The global significance of this research lies in its potential to refine biomarker profiles, improve the efficacy of cell-based therapies and guide the design of novel adjuvants or inhibitors that manipulate eosinophil recruitment and activation for better clinical outcomes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A foundational study revealed that cryo-thermal therapy induces early activation of eosinophils in secondary lymphoid organs, with subsequent orchestration of both innate and adaptive responses. Activated eosinophils preferentially promote M1 macrophage polarisation and enhance dendritic cell maturation, creating a pro-inflammatory milieu. They further support the differentiation of cytotoxic CD4+ subsets and heighten CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity, culminating in durable antitumour memory. This work establishes eosinophils as indispensable mediators of therapy-induced immunity and suggests that their targeted activation could reinforce the long-term efficacy of novel thermal treatment modalities.

Eosinophils in Tumor Immunology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in eosinophils in tumor immunology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Eosinophils: Granulocytic white blood cells involved in allergic responses, parasitic defence and modulation of tumour immunity through granule protein release and cytokine secretion.

Tumour microenvironment: The complex milieu of cancer cells, stromal cells, immune infiltrates, extracellular matrix and signalling molecules surrounding a tumour.

Adoptive transfer: A therapeutic approach in which immune cells are isolated, manipulated ex vivo and reinfused into a patient to enhance antitumour immunity.

CAR-T cells: Genetically engineered T lymphocytes expressing chimeric antigen receptors designed to recognise specific tumour antigens and elicit targeted cytotoxicity.

Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist (R848): A synthetic compound that activates innate immune signalling pathways, enhancing the potency and trafficking of eosinophils and other immune cells.

References

1. A role of eosinophils in mediating the anti-tumour effect of cryo-thermal treatment. Scientific Reports (2019).
2. TLR7/8 signaling activation enhances the potency of human pluripotent stem cell-derived eosinophils in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors. Experimental Hematology & Oncology (2025).
3. CCL11/CCR3-dependent eosinophilia alleviates malignant pleural effusions and improves prognosis. npj Precision Oncology (2024).
4. Eosinophils in the tumor microenvironment: implications for cancer immunotherapy. Journal of Translational Medicine (2023).