Neuronal mimicry in tumors: lessons from neuroscience to tackle cancer

Cellular plasticity and the ability to avoid terminal differentiation are hallmarks of cancer. Here, we review the evidence that tumor cells themselves can take on properties of neurons of the central nervous system, which can regulate tumor growth and metastasis. We discuss recent evidence that axon guidance molecules and regulators of electrical activity and synaptic transmission, such as ion channels and neurotransmitters, can drive the oncogenic and invasive properties of tumor cells from a range of cancers. We also review how FDA-approved treatments for neurological disorders are being tested in pre-clinical models and clinical trials for repurposing as anti-cancer agents, offering the potential for new therapies for cancer patients that can be accessed more quickly.