Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Sha Li
    • Yanlai Sun
    • Dongwei Gao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 31, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2013.1168
  • Pages: 1101-1111
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Abstract

The notion that tumors lack innervation was proposed several years ago. However, nerve fibers are irregulatedly found in some tumor tissues. Their terminals interaction with cancer cells are considered to be neuro-neoplastic synapses. Moreover, neural-related factors, which are important players in the development and activity of the nervous system, have been found in cancer cells. Thus, they establish a direct connection between the nervous system and tumor cells. They modulate the process of metastasis, including degradation of base membranes, cancer cell invasion, migration, extravasation and colonization. Peripheral nerve invasion provides another pathway for the spread of cancer cells when blood and lymphatic metastases are absent, which is based on the interactions between the microenvironments of nerve fibers and tumor cells. The nervous system also modulates angiogenesis, the tumor microenvironment, bone marrow, immune functions and inflammatory pathways to influence metastases. Denervation of the tumor has been reported to enhance cancer metastasis. Stress, social isolation and other emotional factors may increase distant metastasis through releasing hormones from the brain, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Disruption of circadian rhythms will also promote cancer metastasis through direct and indirect actions of the nervous system. Therefore, the nervous system plays an important role in cancer metastasis.
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April 2013
Volume 5 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Li S, Sun Y and Gao D: Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis (Review). Oncol Lett 5: 1101-1111, 2013.
APA
Li, S., Sun, Y., & Gao, D. (2013). Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis (Review). Oncology Letters, 5, 1101-1111. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2013.1168
MLA
Li, S., Sun, Y., Gao, D."Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis (Review)". Oncology Letters 5.4 (2013): 1101-1111.
Chicago
Li, S., Sun, Y., Gao, D."Role of the nervous system in cancer metastasis (Review)". Oncology Letters 5, no. 4 (2013): 1101-1111. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2013.1168