Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: A New Player in Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Target

J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Jul 16;40(1):233. doi: 10.1186/s13046-021-02013-6.

Abstract

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are neutrophil-derived extracellular scaffolds, which typically consist of fibrous decondensed chromatins decorated with histones and granule proteins. Initially discovered as a host defence mechanism of neutrophil against pathogens, they have also been implicated in the progression of sterile inflammation-associated diseases such as autoimmune disease, diabetes, and cancer. In this review, we highlight and discuss the more recent studies on the roles of NETs in cancer development, with a special focus on cancer metastasis. Moreover, we present the strategies for targeting NETs in pre-clinical models, but also the challenging questions that need to be answered in the field.

Keywords: Cancer metastasis; NETs formation; Neutrophil Extracellular Traps; Targeting NETs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Extracellular Traps / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*