Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Digestive Cancers: Warrior or Accomplice

Yuxin Chen; Lulu Han; Xiaoyan Qiu; Gang Wang; Junnian Zheng

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.766636

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Digestive Cancers: Warrior or Accomplice

Front Oncol. 2021 Nov 19:11:766636. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.766636. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Yuxin Chen^{1

2}, Lulu Han^{1

2

3}, Xiaoyan Qiu^{1

2}, Gang Wang^{1

2

3}, Junnian Zheng^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
² Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
³ Center of Clinical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.

Abstract

Characterized as a complex of extracellular DNA fibers and granule proteins, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are generated specifically by neutrophils which play a critical role in host defense and immune regulation. NETs have been initially found crucial for neutrophil anti-microbial function. Recent studies suggest that NETs are involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the function of NETs in cancer remains unclear, which might be due to the variation of research models and the heterogeneity of cancers. Although most of malignant tumors have similar biological behaviors, significant differences indeed exist in various systems. Malignant tumors of the digestive system cause the most incidence and mortality of cancer worldwide. In this review, we would focus on research developments on NETs in digestive cancers to provide insights on their role in digestive cancer progression and future research directions.

Keywords: cancer; digestive system; immunity; neutrophil extracellular trap; targeted therapy.

Publication types

Review