Modulation of tumor cell susceptibility

A method of preconditioning a tumor microenvironment prior to a treatment to a tumor cell, comprising:

• contacting the tumor cell with a first reagent that suppresses a myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) in a tumor microenvironment;
• contacting the tumor cell with a second reagent that blocks at least one of IL-8-mediated signaling pathway, a CXCR1 signaling pathway, a CXCR2 signaling pathway;
• wherein the first and second agents are administered in a first and second amounts that prevent epidermal to mesenchymal transition of the tumor cell;
• wherein the first reagent reduces or abrogates recruitment of MDSCs in the tumor and/or accumulation of MDSCs in the tumor, and/or inhibits expansion of MDSCs in the tumor, and
• wherein the first reagent is distinct from the second reagent.

A method of treating a tumor cell in a patient, comprising:

• preconditioning the tumor cell by contacting the tumor cell with a first reagent that suppresses a myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) in a tumor microenvironment, and contacting the tumor cell with a second reagent that blocks at least one of IL-8 signaling, a CXCR1 pathway, a CXCR2 pathway;
• wherein the first and second agents are administered in first and second amounts that prevent epidermal to mesenchymal transition of the tumor cell;
• wherein the first reagent reduces or abrogates recruitment of MDSCs in the tumor and/or accumulation of MDSCs in the tumor, and/or inhibits expansion of MDSCs in the tumor, and
• wherein the first reagent is distinct from the second reagent;
• and
• treating the tumor cell with at least one of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and an immune therapy.