bims-netuvo Biomed News
on Nerves in tumours of visceral organs
Issue of 2024–10–13
five papers selected by
Maksym V. Kopanitsa, Charles River Laboratories



  1. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Oct 10. 43(1): 284
       BACKGROUND: Current evidence underlines the active role of neural infiltration and axonogenesis within the tumor microenvironment (TME), with implications for tumor progression. Infiltrating nerves stimulate tumor growth and dissemination by secreting neurotransmitters, whereas tumor cells influence nerve growth and differentiation through complex interactions, promoting tumor progression. However, the role of neural infiltration in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.
    METHODS: This study employs the techniques of immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RNA sequencing, molecular biology experiments, and a murine orthotopic lung cancer model to deeply analyze the specific mechanisms behind the differential efficacy of NSCLC immunotherapy from the perspectives of neuro-tumor signal transduction, tumor metabolism, and tumor immunity.
    RESULTS: This study demonstrates that nerve growth factor (NGF) drives neural infiltration in NSCLC, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which is secreted by nerves, is significantly elevated in tumors with extensive neural infiltration. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that 5-HT enhanced glycolysis in NSCLC cells. Pathway analysis indicated that 5-HT activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, promoting tumor metabolic reprogramming. This reprogramming exacerbated immunosuppression in the TME. Neutralizing 5-HT-mediated metabolic reprogramming in tumor immunity enhanced the efficacy of PD-1 monoclonal antibody treatment in mice.
    CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide a novel perspective on the crosstalk between nerves and lung cancer cells and provide insights into further investigations into the role of nerve infiltration in NSCLC progression.
    Keywords:  5-hydroxytryptamine; Neural infiltration; Non-small cell lung cancer; Tumor metabolic reprogramming; Tumor microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-03202-9
  2. Front Oncol. 2024 ;14 1460493
      The tumor microenvironment influences cancer progression and response to treatments, which ultimately impacts the survival of patients with cancer. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a core component of solid tumors that arise in the body. In addition to influencing cancer progression, a role for the SNS in the effectiveness of cancer treatments is beginning to emerge. This review explores evidence that the SNS impairs chemotherapy efficacy. We review findings of studies that evaluated the impact of neural ablation on chemotherapy outcomes and discuss plausible mechanisms for the impact of neural signaling on chemotherapy efficacy. We then discuss implications for clinical practice, including opportunities to block neural signaling to improve response to chemotherapy.
    Keywords:  beta-blocker; cancer; chemotherapy; metastasis; neuron; sympathetic nervous system
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1460493
  3. Radiol Case Rep. 2024 Dec;19(12): 6080-6084
      Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are a heterogenous group of predominantly benign tumors of neurogenic origin that arise outside of the central nervous system and include schwannomas and neurofibromas. These tumors often occur sporadically, however multiple lesions are generally associated with genetic syndromes such as neurofibromatosis (type 1 and 2) and schwannomatosis, and occasionally these tumors and their malignant variations are associated with a history of radiation treatment. Multiple benign schwannomas in an irradiated field have seldom been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a 49-year-old male with a history of right sided irradiated testicular cancer who presented with 2 histologically confirmed benign schwannomas in the right pelvic wall and right psoas muscle.
    Keywords:  CT-guided biopsy; Peripheral nerve sheath tumor; Radiation-induced schwannoma
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2024.09.051
  4. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Oct;76(5): 4923-4928
      Schwannomas are rare neoplasms that originate from the nervous system. We describe a case of schwannoma of the ansa-cervicalis in a patient where preoperative imaging is suggestive of glomus caroticum tumor. A 44-year-old man presented to the surgical oncology department with a recurrent anterior triangle neck swelling. Magnatic resonance ımaging (MRI) demonstrated right enhancing soft tissue mass at the carotid bifurcation consistent with glomus tumor. Intraoperatively, the lesion was found abuting the bifurcatuion and arising from the right ansa-cervicalis. Histopathology evaluation revealed schwannoma. Schwannoma of the ansa-cervicalis is extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. Making the preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Preoperative imaging is necessary to rule out other causes of neck masses such as thyroid lesions, lymphadenopathy, and carotid body tumor. Verocay bodies were noted on histology. Schwannoma of cervical region can have origin from any nerve. Any Neurologic post-operative deficit depends on the nerve of origin and the precision of the surgery performed.
    Keywords:  Ansa-cervicalis; Schwannoma; Verocay body; neck Tumors
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-024-04750-4
  5. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2024 Oct 06. 34894241288416
       OBJECTIVES: Tumors involving the vagus nerve are often clinically silent. We offer a case series with different clinical presentations and distinctive post-surgical sequelae that highlight some of the challenges associated with managing cervical vagal nerve tumors.
    METHODS: Single-institution, retrospective review of patients with tumors involving the vagus nerve. We describe clinical presentations and postoperative sequelae of five patients who underwent surgical management of vagal nerve pathology with atypical presentation or subsequent clinical course.
    RESULTS: Here, we present five patients treated at our institution for vagal tumors. In four of the five patients, the presenting symptoms resolved after surgery. Two patients presented with intractable neurogenic cough, and another two presented with autonomic symptoms, one with syncope/palpitations and the other with intractable sweating. The final patient presented with a rapidly enlarging vagal paraganglioma and developed intractable cough after resection. We present two patients with novel approach to vagal paragangliomas that underwent ligation of feeding blood supply without removing the tumor, resulting in resolution of an intractable cough in one patient and resolution of severe nighttime sweating in the other.
    CONCLUSION: Management of tumors associated with the cervical vagus nerve that present with symptoms or rapid growth poses a clinical dilemma. Consideration of the tumor origin with either enucleation of schwannomas or ligation of feeding vessels may preserve function while addressing the presenting symptoms.
    Keywords:  ligation; vagal paraganglioma; vagal schwannoma; vagus nerve
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/00034894241288416