Tumor interactions with soluble factors and the nervous system

Cell Communication and Signaling

Review

Melanie J Voss¹  Frank Entschladen¹ 

[1] Institute of Immunology, ZBAF, Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448, Witten, Germany;

关键词: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor;    Baclofen;    Perineural Invasion;    Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule;    Bile Duct Cancer;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1478-811X-8-21

 received in 2010-05-28, accepted in 2010-09-07,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

In the genomic era of cancer research, the development of metastases has been attributed to mutations in the tumor that enable the cells to migrate. However, gene analyses revealed that primary tumors and metastases were in some cases genetically identical and the question was raised whether metastasis formation might be an inherent feature of certain tumor cells. In contradiction to this view, the last decade of cancer research has brought to light, that tumor cell migration, similar to leukocyte and fibroblast migration, is a highly regulated process. The nervous system plays an important role in this regulation, at least in two respects: firstly, neurotransmitters are known to regulate the migratory activity of tumor cells, and secondly, nerve fibers are used as routes for perineural invasion. We also summarize here the current knowledge on the innervation of tumors. Such a process might establish a neuro-neoplastic synapse, with the close interaction of tumor cells and nerve cells supporting metastasis formation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Voss and Entschladen; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010