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The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 23, 2025

Establishing In Vitro Models of Dorsal Root Ganglia Culture: Complementary Approaches for Investigating Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Nerves in the Tumor Microenvironment: Origin and Effects.

Wenjun Wang¹, Lingyu Li¹, Naifei Chen¹

¹Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

|January 4, 2021

Summary

Nerves play a crucial role in cancer growth and spread. Understanding the communication between nerves and cancer cells reveals new therapeutic targets for anti-neurogenic therapies.

Keywords:

cancer nerve neurogenesis neurotrophins perineural invasion

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Last Updated: Nov 23, 2025

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Neuroscience
Cancer Biology

Background:

Nerves are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer.
Nerve infiltration of the tumor microenvironment promotes cancer growth and metastasis.
Perineural invasion offers a route for cancer metastasis and pain.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the complex interactions between nerves and cancer cells.
To explore how nervous system dysfunction impacts cancer progression.
To identify potential therapeutic targets for anti-neurogenic cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on neuro-cancer interactions.
Analysis of mechanisms underlying nerve involvement in tumorigenesis.
Examination of the impact of nervous system and hormonal factors on cancer.

Main Results:

Nerves actively contribute to cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis.
Dysfunctions in the central and sympathetic nervous systems, and stress-related hormonal changes, can influence cancer malignancy.
The reciprocal communication between cancer cells and nerves offers new insights into cancer development.

Conclusions:

The cross-talk between nerves and cancer cells is a critical factor in tumorigenesis and progression.
Targeting neurogenic pathways presents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
Further research into these interactions can uncover new therapeutic avenues.