Imaging and Therapy of Tumors Based on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Abstract

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formed by neutrophils are netlike scaffolds that mainly contain DNA and a variety of granule proteins. Many stimuli can lead to the NET formation through independent molecular pathways. Clinically, the abundance of NETs is correlated with poor tumor prognosis. The biological actions of NETs are complex and diverse, including promoting tumor progression, awakening the dormant cancer cells, and resulting in immunosuppression in support of tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, NET-associated pathological processes provide an important clue for both diagnostic imaging and alternative therapies for many kinds of cancers. In recent years, scientists’ efforts have focused on developing novel imaging probes to visualize NETs and therapeutic strategies by degrading NETs or inhibiting its formation to block their pro-tumoral functions. In this review, the development and evaluation of NETs-targeted imaging and intervention progress for tumor therapy are focused on.