Nerve-Cancer Cell Cross-talk: A Novel Promoter of Tumor Progression.

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed the essential role played by nerves in tumor progression. Nerves have been shown to infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and actively stimulate cancer cell growth and dissemination. This mechanism involves the release of neurotransmitters, such as catecholamines and acetylcholine, directly into the vicinity of cancer and stromal cells to activate corresponding membrane receptors. Conversely, the secretion of neurotrophic growth factors by cancer cells drives the outgrowth of nerves in solid tumors. This reciprocal interaction between nerves and cancer cells provides new insights into the cellular and molecular bases of tumorigenesis and points to the potential utility of antineurogenic therapies. This review will discuss our evolving understanding of the cross-talk between nerves and cancer cells.

• Authors: Phillip Jobling, Jay Pundavela, Sonia M R Oliveira, Séverine Roselli, Marjorie M Walker, Hubert Hondermarck
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 75 Issue 9 Pg. 1777-81 (May 01 2015) ISSN: 1538-7445 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25795709 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Chemical References

• Nerve Growth Factors

Topics

• Animals
• Carcinogenesis (pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Nerve Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Neurons (metabolism, physiology)
• Tumor Microenvironment (physiology)