CXCL8 and neoplasm: Using transplantable tumour models, studies have shown that tumour-associated neutrophils were involved in tumour angiogenesis by the production of proangiogenic factors such as VEGF and IL-8 (Schaider et al, 2003), proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases (Shamamian et al, 2001) and elastases (Iwatsuki et al, 2000; Scapini et al, 2002).