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Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
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Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells

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Nerve growth factor & TrkA as novel therapeutic targets in cancer

Ihsan Ekin Demir1, Elke Tieftrunk1, Stephan Schorn1

  • 1Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|June 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors TrkA/p75NTR are overexpressed in many cancers. Targeting NGF/TrkA with inhibitors shows promise for novel anti-cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors, TrkA and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), are frequently overexpressed in human solid tumors.
  • Recent findings highlight overactive TrkA signaling in cancers like colorectal and thyroid cancer due to rearrangements or fusions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of NGF-TrkA-p75NTR biological effects in cancer.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the NGF-TrkA-p75NTR pathway in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on NGF, TrkA, and p75NTR in cancer.
  • Analysis of drug discovery efforts targeting the NGF-TrkA pathway.

Main Results:

  • NGF and its receptors play significant roles in cancer cell biology and the tumor microenvironment.
  • Small-molecule inhibitors and antibodies targeting TrkA/NGF are under active investigation.

Conclusions:

  • The NGF-TrkA-p75NTR axis represents a promising therapeutic target for various cancers.
  • Clinical development of NGF-blocking antibodies is advancing, suggesting future therapeutic applications.
Keywords:
CancerGene fusionGene rearrangementGrowthMicroenvironmentMonoclonal antibodiesNGFNervesPainTherapeutic targetTrkAp75NTR

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