The role of neutrophils in osteosarcoma: insights from laboratory to clinic

Front Immunol. 2024 Nov 8:15:1490712. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1490712. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor, is significantly influenced by the intricate interactions within its tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly involving neutrophils. This review delineates the multifaceted roles of neutrophils, including tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), in osteosarcoma's pathogenesis. TANs exhibit both pro- and anti-tumor phenotypes, modulating tumor growth and immune evasion, while NETs facilitate tumor cell adhesion, migration, and immunosuppression. Clinically, neutrophil-related markers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predict patient outcomes, highlighting the potential for neutrophil-targeted therapies. Unraveling these complex interactions is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies that harness the TME to improve osteosarcoma management.

Keywords: TANs; neutrophil extracelluar traps; neutrophils; osteosarcoma; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Bone Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Extracellular Traps* / immunology
  • Extracellular Traps* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neutrophils* / immunology
  • Osteosarcoma* / immunology
  • Osteosarcoma* / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / immunology

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Jilin Provincial Scientific and Technological Development Program (20230204077YY).