The present invention concerns compounds modulating apoptosis of neutrophil cells. In particular, the invention concerns compounds inhibiting an interaction between Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and proteins binding to cytoplasmic PCNA in neutrophil cells, for use in the treatment of a disease involving a neutrophil-dependent inflammatory process. The invention also relates to a method for the identification of a compound for use in the treatment of a neutrophil-dependent inflammatory process. The invention further relates to peptides for use in the treatment of neutropenia.