Delving into the clinical impact of NETs in pediatric cancer.

ABSTRACT

Pediatric cancer, a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases, continues to challenge medical research and treatment strategies. Despite advances in precision medicine and immunotherapy, certain aggressive subtypes of pediatric cancer are resistant to conventional therapies, requiring further exploration of potential therapeutic targets. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), net-like structures released by neutrophils, have emerged as a potential player in the pediatric cancer landscape. However, our understanding of their role in pediatric oncology remains limited. This systematic review examines the current state of the NETs literature in pediatric cancer, focusing on the most frequent subtypes. The review reveals the scarcity of research in this area, highlighting the need for further investigation. The few studies available suggest that NETs may influence infection risk, treatment resistance and prognosis in certain pediatric malignancies. Although the field is still in its infancy, it holds great promise for advancing our understanding of pediatric cancer biology and potential therapeutic pathways. IMPACT This review identifies a significant gap in research on neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in pediatric cancer. It provides a summary of existing studies and their promising findings and potential, as well as a comprehensive overview of current research on NETs in certain tumor types. It also emphasizes the lack of specific studies in pediatric cancer. The review encourages the prioritization of NET research in pediatric oncology, with the aim of improving prognosis and developing new treatments through increased understanding and targeted studies.