In a discovery that is reshaping scientific understanding of cancer biology, researchers have found that neurons — the body’s vital nerve cells — may unintentionally assist the growth of cancer. Scientists report that cancer cells can “hijack” nearby neurons, bending them to serve tumor survival and expansion.
The findings, published in the journal Nature, reveal that certain nerve cells surrounding tumors actively contribute to cancer progression. In experimental studies involving mice, researchers used genetic engineering techniques to disable specific neurons associated with tumors. The result was striking: some cases showed nearly a 50 percent reduction in cancer growth.
Neurons are essential for human life, enabling movement, thought, and communication within the body. They function by transmitting signals to and from the brain. However, the new study suggests that cancer cells can manipulate this communication network. Tumors appear capable of taking control of neurons that relay information to the brain, sending signals that weaken the body’s immune defenses.
According to scientists, neurons transmitting signals toward the brain may help tumors by instructing the brain to suppress immune cells that would otherwise attack cancer. Meanwhile, neurons carrying signals from the brain release norepinephrine, a chemical messenger that can further disable immune cells near the tumor environment. With these protective immune responses weakened, cancer cells gain a more favorable environment for unchecked growth.
This unexpected role of neurons has surprised many researchers. Previously, nerve cells were largely considered neutral or even beneficial in the body’s fight against disease. The idea that they might contribute to cancer development has prompted renewed investigation into how tumors interact with the nervous system.
Experts believe these insights could open new avenues for cancer treatment. By targeting tumor-associated nerve activity, future therapies may potentially slow or disrupt cancer progression. While much remains to be understood, the research highlights a complex and previously underappreciated relationship between the nervous system and cancer.
