Cancer cells use nerves to spread to other parts of the body, and recent studies have uncovered that tumors form a partnership with nerves to promote their growth. Research in 2013 and 2019 revealed that nerve fibers near tumors supply them with neurons to enhance growth, and neural precursor cells in the brain migrate to prostate tumors in mice. Researchers are now attempting to target this relationship between tumors and nerves to stop cancer progression and develop new therapies.

1. Cancer cells use our nerves to spread from one part of our body to another.
Recent studies uncovered a deadly partnership between tumors and nerves.
In 2013, research oncologist Claire Magnon and
colleagues in the lab of cell biologist Paul Frenette
at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New
York City revealed that the small nerve fibres near
a tumor are, at least sometimes, essential to the
tumor's growth. A recent study in 2019 by
Magnon et al showed that, in mice, neural
precursor cells in the brain appear to migrate to a
prostate tumor to supply it with neurons.
Researchers are now trying to target this unique alliance to make a halt of cancer progression
and developing new edge therapy.
Via- AAAS, Original Article by Kelly Servick.