Elevated neutrophil extracellular traps by HBV-mediated S100A9-TLR4/RAGE-ROS cascade facilitate the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are considered significant contributors to cancer progression, especially metastasis. However, it is still unclear whether NETs are involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocarcinogenesis and have potential clinical significance during evaluation and management for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of NETs in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis and their clinical significance.