bims-netuvo 2026-02-01 papers

bims-netuvo

Biomed News

on Nerves in tumours of visceral organs

Issue of 2026–02–01
seven papers selected by
Maksym V. Kopanitsa, Charles River Laboratories

Targeting sensory nerves in the tumor microenvironment: a new vulnerability in cancer therapy.
Tumor innervation and mitochondrial transfer in the cancer pathogenesis: perspectives on genitourinary malignancies.
The neuro-immune axis in cancer: mechanisms of innervation-driven tumor progression and therapeutic opportunities.
Prosaposin orchestrates a TGFβ1-driven paracrine loop between Schwann cells and gastric cancer to accelerate perineural invasion.
The Impact of Chronic Stress on Treatment Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Divergent Survival Rates: A Systematic Review.
Efficacy of Technology-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Tools for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Non-CNS Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.
Tumor-associated macrophages enhance peripheral nerve tumor infiltration and spinal cord repair.

Cell Commun Signal. 2026 Jan 29.

Targeting sensory nerves in the tumor microenvironment: a new vulnerability in cancer therapy.

Jun Jiang, Zhe Xu, Danyu Qu, Jiayang Qin, Weihong Wen, Weijun Qin, Donghui Han.

  Tumor innervation, the infiltration of nerves into the tumor microenvironment (TME), is increasingly recognized as a novel hallmark driving cancer progression and is associated with poor patient prognosis across various solid malignancies. This process is orchestrated by a complex, bidirectional crosstalk. Cancer and stromal cells release neurotrophic factors that induce axonogenesis or neurogenesis. In turn, the infiltrating nerves, particularly sensory nerves, secrete neurotransmitters, neuropeptides or form pseudo-synapse with tumor cells to facilitate cancer hallmarks, including sustained proliferation, invasion, metastasis, modulation of the anti-tumor immune response, and cancer plasticity. However, the specific contributions and underlying mechanisms of sensory nerve innervation in orchestrating malignancy remain incompletely elucidated. This review aims to synthesize the current understanding of the multifaceted roles of sensory neurons within the TME, detailing their intricate interactions with cancer and stromal cells, and highlighting the emerging therapeutic strategies that target the sensory nerve-tumor axis.

Keywords:  Peripheral nervous system; Sensory nerve; Tumor innervation; Tumor microenvironment

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02637-7
Front Oncol. 2025 ;15 1710038

Tumor innervation and mitochondrial transfer in the cancer pathogenesis: perspectives on genitourinary malignancies.

Lucas Assoni, Juliana Baboghlian, Roger Frigério Castilho, Leonardo Oliveira Reis.

  Recent advances have significantly expanded our understanding of the roles played by mitochondria and tumor innervation in tumorigenesis. Once viewed primarily as contributors to energy production and metastatic dissemination, mitochondria are now recognized as central players in broader processes, including immune modulation within the tumor microenvironment, therapy resistance, and metastatic progression. Interestingly, the findings have eventually converged, and evidence now shows that mitochondria can be transferred from neurons to tumor cells, resulting in enhanced invasiveness. While these discoveries are promising, they also present new challenges that must be addressed. As the interconnection between neuroscience, oncology, and immunology continues to deepen, these insights open new avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This review explores the most recent findings regarding nerve-cancer interaction, with a specific focus on genitourinary cancers, highlights their emerging intersections, and discusses how these insights may inform the development of novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Keywords:  cancer immunology; genitourinary cancer; mitochondria transfer; oncogenesis; plasticity; tumor innervation

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2025.1710038
Front Immunol. 2025 ;16 1693419

The neuro-immune axis in cancer: mechanisms of innervation-driven tumor progression and therapeutic opportunities.

Liang Zhang, Dantong Zhu, Junyi Wang, Jiyang Guo, Mingzhe Jiang, Xinhui Qi, Zhuo Zhang, Zhendong Zheng.

  Innervation plays a key role in tumor progression, and malignant tumor cells often invade peripheral nerve or the central nervous system, significantly altering tumor biological function. In this review, the multi-dimensional role of innervation in cancer biology is comprehensively discussed, the molecular mechanisms involved and their effects on the tumor microenvironment are deeply analyzed, and therapeutic strategies are proposed. We systematically summarize the interactions between cancer cells and neural tissue, focusing on how key signaling pathways regulate the core elements of this process. The analysis focused on the pathological features of innervation in specific cancer types, particularly breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, revealing the unique mode of action of innervation in these cancers. In addition, we explored the combined effects of innervation on the tumor microenvironment, including immune cell infiltration, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and the development of cancer-related pain. Together, these changes promote tumor growth and spread, further highlighting the importance of innervation in tumor progression. Finally, this review proposes the potential therapeutic value of innervation in the treatment of cancer, and aims to promote the development of the field of innervation research. A deeper understanding of the complex relationship between innervation and cancer progression is critical to optimizing treatment strategies, improving patient outcomes, and expanding the boundaries of our understanding of cancer biology.

Keywords:  angiogenesis; cancer-associated axons; innervation; therapeutic strategies; tumor biology; tumor microenvironment

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1693419
J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2026 Jan 24.

Prosaposin orchestrates a TGFβ1-driven paracrine loop between Schwann cells and gastric cancer to accelerate perineural invasion.

Shijie Yang, Huan Xi, Miao Yu, LinFan Qi, Lin Ma, ZiJian Wu, Guangming Zhang, Shixun Ma, Hui Cai.



Keywords:  Gastric cancer; PSAP; Perineural invasion (PNI); Schwann cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-026-03652-3
Int J Mol Sci. 2026 Jan 09. pii: 686. [Epub ahead of print]27(2):

The Impact of Chronic Stress on Treatment Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Divergent Survival Rates: A Systematic Review.

Katarzyna Herbetko, Justyna Kaczor, Adam Sołtyk, Monika Kisielewska, Marcel Opęchowski, Aleksandra Sztuder, Julita Kulbacka.

  This systematic review investigates the impact of chronic stress on treatment outcomes among cancer patients with divergent survival rates, focusing on breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. The analysis explores how chronic stress influences molecular pathways and tumor progression while comparing cancers with five-year survival rates above and below 50%. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for studies published between 2014 and 2025 using combinations of keywords related to "chronic stress," "psychological stress," "psychotherapy," and selected cancer types. All studies met the inclusion criteria according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Evidence suggests that chronic stress is associated with the activation of neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms, including β-adrenergic and glucocorticoid signaling. These multifactorial processes are associated with disease progression and survival, particularly in pancreatic and ovarian cancers; however, these links remain primarily associative rather than causative. Conversely, psychotherapeutic interventions alleviate stress-related biological responses, improve quality of life, and may indirectly enhance therapeutic efficacy. By structuring the evidence around cancers with higher versus lower five-year survival, our review provides a survival informed synthesis of cancer type specific stress biology and stress-mitigating interventions, highlighting potentially targetable pathways and clear evidence gaps for future trials. The findings underscore the need to integrate psychological care into oncological practice to improve overall outcomes.

Keywords:  cancer; cancer survival rate; chronic stress; psychological care; stress

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020686
Healthcare (Basel). 2026 Jan 18. pii: 239. [Epub ahead of print]14(2):

Efficacy of Technology-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation Tools for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Non-CNS Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

Benedetta Capetti, Serena Sdinami, Jenny Luisi, Lorenzo Conti, Roberto Grasso, Gabriella Pravettoni.

  Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant concern for individuals with non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cancers, affecting memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. Non-pharmacological interventions, including digital cognitive rehabilitation, have shown promise in addressing CRCI. This systematic review investigates the efficacy of digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation interventions in improving cognitive outcomes in non-CNS cancer patients. Method: A systematic search of the EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed databases was conducted to identify studies on digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation for non-CNS cancer patients. Studies were included if they involved computerized and digital cognitive rehabilitation for oncological patients and assessed the efficacy of the intervention. A total of 11 studies were selected, including randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data was synthesized using a narrative descriptive approach, and the results were summarized in a descriptive table. Results: The most frequently assessed cognitive domains included working memory, attention, executive functions, and processing speed. The majority of studies (n = 11) demonstrated significant immediate improvements in cognitive functions, particularly in working memory, executive functions, attention, and processing speed. Short-term follow-up (1-5 months) showed partial maintenance of these improvements, while long-term effects (6 months to 1 year) were more variable. Improvements in episodic memory were less consistent, particularly among breast cancer survivors. Discussion: Digital and computerized cognitive rehabilitation appears to be an effective intervention for CRCI, providing immediate cognitive benefits and some lasting improvements, especially in domains such as memory and attention. However, long-term effects remain variable, and further research is needed to explore the optimal duration of interventions and the potential advantages of personalized rehabilitation approaches.

Keywords:  cancer-related cognitive impairment; cognitive rehabilitation; computerized cognitive rehabilitation; digital cognitive tools; efficacy; non-CNS cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020239
Immunity. 2026 Jan 26. pii: S1074-7613(25)00572-2. [Epub ahead of print]

Tumor-associated macrophages enhance peripheral nerve tumor infiltration and spinal cord repair.

Sissi Dolci, Loris Mannino, Eros Rossi, Emanuela Bottani, Francesca Ciarpella, Nicola Piazza, Isabel Karkossa, Marzia Di Chio, Benedetta Savino, Benedetta Lucidi, Giulia Pruonto, Ilaria Barone, Alessandra Campanelli, Francesca Cersosimo, Elisa Setten, Stefano Gianoli, Zulkifal Malik, Giuseppe Busetto, Alex Pezzotta, Alessandra Castagna, Nicolò Martinelli, Silvia Ferretti, Federico Boschi, Adam Doherty, Maria Teresa Scupoli, Chiara Cavallini, Giorgio Malpeli, Alessia Amenta, Ludovica Sagripanti, Vincenzo Silani, Patrizia Cristofori, Eugenio Scanziani, Marco Sandri, Anna Pistocchi, Patrizia Bossolasco, Marco Endrizzi, Kristin Schubert, Guido Francesco Fumagalli, Massimo Locati, Francesco Bifari, Ilaria Decimo.

  Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) enhance cancer progression by promoting angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and immune suppression. Nerve infiltration also contributes to tumor growth. However, the role of TAMs in promoting intratumoral nerve growth remains unclear. In this study, we have shown that TAMs express a distinct neural growth gene signature. TAMs actively enhanced neural growth within tumors and directly promoted in vitro neurite outgrowth. We identified secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) as a required mediator of TAM-driven neural growth and mTORC2 activation. Leveraging this TAM-neural growth function, we explored TAM neuroregenerative potential. Adoptive transfer of TAMs in severe complete-compressive-contusive spinal cord injury (scSCI) increased neuronal survival, axonal regrowth, and motor function recovery. Moreover, TAMs healed scSCI microenvironment and remodeled the cyst. Functional and proteomic analyses confirmed SPP1 and neural Rictor as necessary molecular mediators for TAM-induced regeneration. Our data unveil a role for TAMs in tumor innervation and neural tissue repair.

Keywords:  SCI; SPP1; TAMs; axonal regeneration; cancer-dependent nerve growth; motor recovery; neural tissue regeneration; regenerative medicine; spinal cord injury; tumor-associated macrophages

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2025.12.016