Neural Signaling in Cancer
Michael B. Keough, Michelle Monje
Abstract
Nervous system activity regulates development, homeostasis, and plasticity of the brain as well as other organs in the body. These mechanisms are subverted in cancer to propel malignant growth. In turn, cancers modulate neural structure and function to augment growth-promoting neural signaling in the tumor microenvironment. Approaching cancer biology from a neuroscience perspective will elucidate new therapeutic strategies for presently lethal forms of cancer. In this review, we highlight the neural signaling mechanisms recapitulated in primary brain tumors, brain metastases, and solid tumors throughout the body that regulate cancer progression.
Topics & Concepts
NeuroscienceCancerNervous systemNeural developmentBiologyBrain cancerNeuroplasticityTumor microenvironmentCentral nervous systemSignal transductionFunction (biology)Cancer cellCell biologyGeneBiochemistryGeneticsCancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune ResponseBrain Metastases and TreatmentNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms