A neutrophil is a white blood cell that serves as a first line of defense against infections, especially bacterial ones. They make up about 50–70% of circulating white blood cells.​

Chemotherapy can reduce their number, leading to neutropenia, defined as <1500 neutrophils/µL. Severity increases as counts fall below 1000 and particularly under 500 neutrophils/µL.

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome frequently observed in patients with advanced-stage cancer and has a significant impact on prognosis. It is associated with decreased physical capacity, reduced tolerance to treatments, and shorter survival.​
More than 70% of patients with cancer, particularly in advanced stages, develop signs and symptoms of cachexia, and approximately 20% die as a result of this syndrome. Despite its clinical relevance, cachexia is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated and therefore remains an unresolved clinical challenge.