biostudies-literatureWang SNational High-level Personnel of Special Support ProgramScience and Technology Program of GuangzhouBasic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong ProvinceNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaChina Postdoctoral Science FoundationThe Fundamental Research Funds for The Central UniversitiesChinese National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative TalentsPostdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF81-93https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12703295biostudies-literatureUnknown75(1)<h4>Background</h4>Circulating tumour cell (CTC)-neutrophil clusters represent a key driver and a hallmark of tumour metastasis; however, efficient approaches for their elimination are still lacking.<h4>Objective</h4>This study sought to elucidate the location and mechanisms of CTC-neutrophil cluster formation and develop more effective antimetastasis strategies.<h4>Design</h4>Immunofluorescence staining of clinical colorectal cancer (CRC) samples was performed to identify the location of CTC-neutrophil clusters. The correlation between the expression of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in pericytes and patient prognosis, as well as its association with CTC-neutrophil cluster formation, was assessed using clinical specimens and public CRC datasets. The formation process of CTC-neutrGutPericyte drives the formation of circulating tumour cell-neutrophil clusters to promote colorectal cancer metastasis.PMC1270329582304526BX202301442023M73132382404673822739412023A151511021082473950U24A2081582403529Dongmei Zhang and Minfeng Chen216241032025A04J34002023M741391GZB202302682025A04J51588220442882293681(82293680)824301082024A15150130862024B15150200982023B1515120023Deng RQi MHuang DZhang DZhang JWang CZhang HHuang MLin YWang GYe WShuai HWang SQiu SCheng MChen YYuan XTan LChen MChu XLi XPan JLin CZhang ZShi CCao YYe GZeng HXu XfalsePericyte drives the formation of circulating tumour cell-neutrophil clusters to promote colorectal cancer metastasis.<h4>Background</h4>Circulating tumour cell (CTC)-neutrophil clusters represent a key driver and a hallmark of tumour metastasis; however, efficient approaches for their elimination are still lacking.<h4>Objective</h4>This study sought to elucidate the location and mechanisms of CTC-neutrophil cluster formation and develop more effective antimetastasis strategies.<h4>Design</h4>Immunofluorescence staining of clinical colorectal cancer (CRC) samples was performed to identify the location of CTC-neutrophil clusters. The correlation between the expression of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in pericytes and patient prognosis, as well as its association with CTC-neutrophil cluster formation, was assessed using clinical specimens and public CRC datasets. The formation process of CTC-neutr2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-07T05:00:09.832Z2026-06-07T03:06:32.652ZS-EPMC127032954070179510.1136/gutjnl-2024-334618