Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41601691›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in immunology2025

The neuro-immune axis in cancer: mechanisms of innervation-driven tumor progression and therapeutic opportunities.

Liang Zhang, Dantong Zhu, Junyi Wang, Jiyang Guo, Mingzhe Jiang, Xinhui Qi, Zhuo Zhang, Zhendong Zheng

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
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  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Liang Zhang *Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Dantong Zhu *Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Junyi WangDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Jiyang GuoDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Mingzhe JiangDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Xinhui QiDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Zhuo ZhangDepartment of Human Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Zhendong ZhengDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Innervation plays a key role in tumor progression, and malignant tumor cells often invade peripheral nerve or the central nervous system, significantly altering tumor biological function. In this review, the multi-dimensional role of innervation in cancer biology is comprehensively discussed, the molecular mechanisms involved and their effects on the tumor microenvironment are deeply analyzed, and therapeutic strategies are proposed. We systematically summarize the interactions between cancer cells and neural tissue, focusing on how key signaling pathways regulate the core elements of this process. The analysis focused on the pathological features of innervation in specific cancer types, particularly breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, revealing the unique mode of action of innervation in these cancers. In addition, we explored the combined effects of innervation on the tumor microenvironment, including immune cell infiltration, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and the development of cancer-related pain. Together, these changes promote tumor growth and spread, further highlighting the importance of innervation in tumor progression. Finally, this review proposes the potential therapeutic value of innervation in the treatment of cancer, and aims to promote the development of the field of innervation research. A deeper understanding of the complex relationship between innervation and cancer progression is critical to optimizing treatment strategies, improving patient outcomes, and expanding the boundaries of our understanding of cancer biology.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsAnimalsDisease ProgressionHumansNeovascularization, PathologicSignal TransductionTumor Microenvironmentangiogenesiscancer-associated axonsinnervationtherapeutic strategiestumor biologytumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID41601691
PMCPMC12833073

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.