Overview
- Microscopy in mouse models showed sensory neurons surrounding and penetrating lung tumors, forming physical connections with cancer cells.
- The team mapped a tumor-to-brain loop in which vagal sensory inputs reach the brainstem and trigger a sympathetic stress response that suppresses local antitumor activity.
- Noradrenaline released in the tumor microenvironment reprogrammed macrophages via β2-adrenergic receptors, which in turn blunted T cell responses.
- Genetic inactivation of the implicated sensory neurons produced a greater than 50% reduction in tumor growth, whereas extended pharmacological attempts initially showed no effect.
- Researchers emphasize the findings are preclinical and require validation in humans, highlighting the peripheral nervous system as an underexplored avenue for cancer therapy.