Myeloid diversity in tumors: Shaped by genes, location, and time

Myeloid cells are present in neoplastic tissues from the earliest stages of transformation through to fully developed tumors. However, their intrinsic dynamism and plasticity make them difficult to target therapeutically. Emerging technologies are uncovering previously unrecognized cellular states and functions, thus reshaping our understanding of myeloid cell biology beyond their traditional inflammatory roles. This review discusses recent advances in identifying tumor-specific cues, tissue structural components, and the temporal modulation of neutrophil and macrophage programs in tumors, which are influenced by both cell-intrinsic and systemic signals. By integrating molecular, environmental, and time-dependent aspects of myeloid biology, we discuss here our understanding of their functional diversity and inform the development of future cancer therapy strategies.