Understanding nerve-tumor interactions: From basic biology to therapeutic innovation

The study of nerve-tumor interactions has emerged as a rapidly advancing and interdisciplinary field with profound implications for understanding cancer progression, prognosis, and therapeutic innovation. While this area holds significant promise for transformative discoveries, the mechanisms of nerve-tumor interactions and their translation into clinical applications remain at an early stage. This review focuses on the role of peripheral nerves in non-neurogenic solid tumors, discussing the prevalence and clinical impact of nerve-tumor interactions, their underlying forms and mechanisms, advancements in research technologies, therapeutic potential, and future challenges. By synthesizing current knowledge, integrating methodologies for studying nerve-tumor interactions, and identifying critical gaps, this work aims to provide a foundational resource to guide experimental design and stimulate interest in clinical trials targeting neural influences in cancer progression.