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Neural-tumor crosstalk in driving tumor metabolic reprogramming
Xia Xiao1, Congcong Zhang1, Jiahao Chen1
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, China.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|June 28, 2026
Summary
Neural signals profoundly impact cancer metabolism through direct, paracrine, and indirect routes. Understanding this neuro-metabolic axis offers new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Neural-tumor interactions are increasingly recognized as key drivers of cancer metabolic reprogramming.
- Understanding the mechanisms of neural signaling in cancer metabolism is crucial for developing novel therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review how neural signaling influences tumor metabolism.
- To explore the diverse modes of neural-tumor crosstalk and their metabolic consequences.
- To evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting the neural-metabolic axis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature on neural-tumor interactions and cancer metabolism.
- Conceptual framework classifying neural-tumor crosstalk into direct, paracrine, and indirect modes.
- Analysis of key neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and their downstream signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Neural signaling reshapes tumor metabolism via glycolysis, lipid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism.
- Lactate plays a central role, fueling tumor growth and driving epigenetic modifications (histone lactylation).
- Emerging mechanisms include mitochondrial transfer, extracellular vesicle hijacking, and direct nutrient supply, alongside neuro-immune-metabolic circuits.
Conclusions:
- The neural-metabolic axis is a complex and multifaceted regulator of cancer progression.
- Targeting neural-tumor crosstalk presents promising therapeutic opportunities.
- Future research should focus on integrating these interactions for novel cancer treatments.
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