Caught in the NET: A Review on the Emerging Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in PDAC Development

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by poor treatment response. A part of this dismal prognosis can be attributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that renders tumors anti-immunogenic and resistant to immunotherapies. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a frontline defense in pathogen clearance. However, NETs also play a destructive role in many chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disease and cancer. Recent evidence corroborates the impact of NETs on PDACs pathogenesis by promoting tumor progression and enhancing the immunosuppressive TME. As such, NETs have become an attractive therapeutic target to improve patient outcomes. This review addresses the current research findings on the association of NETs and PDAC progression and future research opportunities in targeted NET therapies.