 The cancer cells release chemical signals which attract neutrophils to the tumor site. These neutrophils then produce proteins called chemokines which attract more neutrophils and other immune cells such as macrophages. The macrophages then secrete another protein called vascular endothelial growth factor, VAGF, which stimulates the formation of new blood vessels or lymphatics which allow the cancer cells to spread to distant organs via the lymphatic system. This process is known as lymphangiogenesis. In addition, the cancer cells also produce proteins called matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs, which break down the walls of existing lymphatics, allowing the cancer cells to spread even further. Finally, the cancer cells also produce a protein called ETv4, which attracts neutrophils to the tumor site and activates the production of both VAGF and MMPs, thus accelerating the spread of the cancer cells through the lymphatic system. This article was authored by Chan Zhang, Sun Lu, Hong Jin Wang, and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.