Background: The mechanisms by which neutrophils acquire pro-tumor properties remain poorly understood. In pancreatic cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may interact with neutrophils, directing them to promote tumor progression.
Methods: To validate the association between CAFs and neutrophils, the localization of neutrophils was examined in clinically resected pancreatic cancer specimens. CAFs were produced by culturing in cancer-conditioned media, and the effects of these CAFs on neutrophils were examined. In vitro migration and invasion assays assess the effect of CAF-activated neutrophils on cancer cells. The factors secreted by the activated neutrophils were also explored. Finally, pirfenidone (PFD) was tested to determine whether it could suppress the pro-tumor functions of activated neutrophils.
Results: In pancreatic cancer specimens, neutrophils tended to co-localize with IL-6-positive CAFs. Neutrophils co-cultured with CAFs increased migratory capacity and prolonged life span. CAF-affected neutrophils enhance the migratory and invasive activities of pancreatic cancer cells. IL-8 is the most upregulated cytokine secreted by the neutrophils. PFD suppresses IL-8 secretion from CAF-stimulated neutrophils and mitigates the malignant traits of pancreatic cancer cells.
Conclusion: CAFs activate neutrophils and enhance the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. The interactions between cancer cells, CAFs, and neutrophils can be disrupted by PFD, highlighting a potential therapeutic approach.
Keywords: Anti-fibrotic agent; Cancer-associated fibroblasts; Neutrophil; Pirfenidone.
© 2025. The Author(s).