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Updated: May 31, 2025

A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Tumor-nerve interactions in cancer regulation and progression
Jianyi Zhao1, Lilin Cheng2, Jian Yang3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Proton-Therapy, Shanghai, 201801, China.
Abstract:
Tumor-nerve interactions play a critical role in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance, redefining our understanding of the tumor microenvironment. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of how the peripheral and central nervous systems contribute to cancer biology, focusing on mechanisms of neural invasion, immune evasion, and tumor adaptation. It has highlighted the emerging potential of repurposing nervous system-targeted drugs originally developed for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases as innovative cancer therapies. The review also addresses key challenges, including the limitations of current experimental models and the complexity of translating preclinical findings to clinical applications. By bridging the gap between neuroscience and oncology, this interdisciplinary study aims to discover novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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