Neutrophil extracellular traps and metabolic reprogramming in renal cell carcinoma: implications for tumor progression and immune-based therapeutics.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures of DNA and proteins that are released by activated neutrophils. While originally identified as antimicrobial defense mechanisms, NETs are now recognized as key modulators of tumor progression. NETs interact with the tumor microenvironment and metabolic pathways in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which promotes immune evasion and metastasis. This review explores the interplay between NET formation and metabolic reprogramming in RCC, highlighting the implications for immunotherapy resistance and therapeutic targeting. NET-associated signaling, immunometabolism disruption, and current strategies to inhibit NETs in preclinical and clinical settings are discussed. Targeting NETs may represent a promising adjunct in RCC therapy, particularly when integrated with immune checkpoint blockade.