065-Neutrophils drive tumour necrosis and metastasis

This article challenges the traditional understanding of tumor necrosis as a passive process, instead demonstrating that neutrophils actively induce tumor necrosis and promote metastasis. The research identifies a specific population of "vascular-restricted" neutrophils (Ly6GHighLy6CLow) that form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), leading to vascular occlusion and localized hypoxia within tumors. Crucially, the study shows that cancer cells in these oxygen-deprived (perinecrotic) regions undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to increased metastatic potential. Furthermore, genetically or pharmacologically blocking NET formation significantly reduced both tumor necrosis and metastatic spread, highlighting a novel, targetable pathway for cancer therapy.

References:

• Adrover J M, Han X, Sun L, et al. Neutrophils drive vascular occlusion, tumour necrosis and metastasis[J]. Nature, 2025: 1-12.