Neutrophils: Accomplices in metastasis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Metastasis is a primary cause of cancer-related death.
• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) must overcome numerous obstacles to form secondary tumors.
• Immune cells significantly influence tumor cell metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted role of neutrophils in solid tumor metastasis.
• To elucidate how neutrophils support tumor cell invasion, migration, and distant colonization.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating neutrophil involvement in cancer metastasis.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which neutrophils impact CTCs and colonization.

Main Results:

• Neutrophils can promote tumor cell invasion and intravasation.
• Neutrophils assist CTCs in surviving shear stress and evading immune surveillance.
• Neutrophils facilitate CTC colonization and the formation of metastatic foci.

Conclusions:

• Neutrophils are critical regulators of the metastatic cascade in solid tumors.
• Targeting neutrophil functions presents a promising avenue for anti-metastasis therapies.