How Nerve-Cancer Communication Could Unlock New Paths to Treatment

There's been an intriguing discovery in breast cancer research that might change how we think about the disease's progression.

It turns out that the same types of nerves that allow us to touch, see, hear, and taste might also play a role in helping breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. This finding comes from a study that, although done in mice and lab-grown cells, opens up a fascinating new avenue in cancer research.

What's particularly unique here is the involvement of 'sensory' nerves—those constantly sensing our environment—in directly interacting with tumors to aid in their spread. This is quite different from the usual narrative where nerves are thought to indirectly encourage tumor growth through immune responses. Sensory nerves are abundant and always active, which might make them key players in the growth of solid tumors.

The researchers behind this study began by investigating genes linked to cancer spread and were surprised to find many that are connected to the nervous system. This led them to explore whether nerves and cancer cells might actually be communicating in ways that promote metastasis. Their findings suggest that cancers with more nerve involvement tend to be more invasive.

In a particularly striking part of the study, the researchers grew cancer cells and sensory neurons together and found that the cancer cells stimulated the nerves to produce a molecule called substance P. This molecule is generally associated with pain and inflammation but, in this context, seems to trigger a chain reaction that activates genes linked to metastasis. Interestingly, the team discovered that an existing anti-nausea drug, aprepitant, could interrupt this process, slowing tumor growth in mice.

While it's too early to say how these results will translate to human treatment, the study adds to a growing body of research linking the nervous system to cancer. There’s already evidence that the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions, can contribute to cancers like prostate and gastrointestinal. And there's ongoing work to see if drugs like beta blockers, traditionally used for heart conditions, might help reduce the risk of metastasis when combined with other cancer treatments.

It's clear that the interaction between nerves and cancer is a burgeoning field with the potential to revolutionize how we approach cancer treatment. These discoveries might lead us to repurpose existing drugs in novel ways, offering new hope for those battling the disease.