Interleukin 8 (IL-8),also known as CXCL8,which is a member of the CXC chemokine family. This chemokine is secreted by a variety of cell types including monocyte/macrophages,T cells,neutrophils,fibroblasts,endothelial cells,and various tumor cell lines in response to inflammatory stimuli. IL-8 has two primary functions. It induces chemotaxis in target cells,primarily neutrophils but also other granulocytes,causing them to migrate toward the site of infection. IL-8 also induces phagocytosis once they have arrived. This gene is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis,a common respiratory tract disease caused by viral infection. IL-8 is also known to be a potent promoter of angiogenesis. IL-8 has been associated with tumor angiogenesis,metastasis,and poor prognosis in breast cancer. IL-8 may present a novel therapeutic target for estrogen driven breast carcinogenesis and tumor progression.