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Updated: May 30, 2025
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Sensory neurotransmission and pain in solid tumor progression
Andre A Martel Matos1, Nicole N Scheff1
1Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Trends in Cancer
|January 30, 2025
Summary
Sensory nerves in the tumor microenvironment influence cancer progression and immune responses. This review explores how tumor pain impacts cancer and treatment effectiveness, including immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Sensory nerves are integral to the tumor microenvironment (TME), relaying information to the central nervous system and influencing tumor progression through immunosurveillance.
- Peripheral sensory signaling within the TME can alter the tumor immune response, leading to increased immune exhaustion and reduced effector cell activity, thereby promoting cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent evidence on the role of the sensory nervous system in cancer.
- To focus on primary tumor pain and its influence on cancer progression and treatment response, including immunotherapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on sensory nerves and cancer.
- Analysis of the impact of pain on cancer progression and treatment outcomes.
- Discussion of implications for immunotherapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Sensory nerves significantly modulate tumor progression and immune responses within the TME.
- Neuropeptide release from sensory nerves can drive immune cell dysfunction, favoring cancer growth.
- Primary tumor pain is a key factor influenced by sensory nerves, affecting cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- The sensory nervous system plays a critical role in cancer biology.
- Understanding the interplay between sensory nerves, pain, and the immune system is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.
- Targeting sensory pathways may offer novel strategies for cancer therapy and improving treatment response, particularly for immunotherapy.
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