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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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In Vitro Modeling of Cancerous Neural Invasion: The Dorsal Root Ganglion Model
Published on: April 12, 2016
Perineural Invasion, Pain and Immunosuppression Across Solid Tumours
Przemysław Dybcio1, Anna Kuraś1, Mikołaj Dyrka1
1Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Kazimierza Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.)
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Perineural invasion (PNI) is a complex process involving tumor cells and nerves, causing pain and immune suppression. Understanding this neuro-immuno-metabolic interaction is key to developing new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Perineural invasion (PNI) is a significant factor in cancer progression, linked to neuropathic pain, recurrence, and reduced survival in solid tumors.
- PNI is increasingly recognized as a dynamic biological process, not just a structural invasion, involving nerve damage, pain sensitization, and local immune suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current experimental, translational, and clinical data on the mechanisms of PNI in solid malignancies.
- To elucidate the molecular, neurological, and immunological aspects of PNI and its impact on the tumor microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature.
- Synthesis of data on molecular, neurological, and immunological mechanisms.
- Analysis of the interplay between tumor cells, nerve cells, and immune cells.
Main Results:
- PNI involves complex interactions between tumor cells, Schwann cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and neurotrophic factors, leading to nerve remodeling and degeneration.
- PNI induces neuropathic pain via ion channel dysregulation, neurotrophin sensitization, and neuroplasticity.
- PNI establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment (Tregs, M2 macrophages, MDSCs) that may hinder immunotherapy effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- PNI should be viewed as a neuro-immuno-metabolic process.
- The PNI-pain-immunosuppression triad offers therapeutic targets for neuroprotection, pain management, and immunomodulation in cancer treatment.
