loader image
Thursday, October 23, 2025
75.8 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

Cancer-Associated Nerve Injury Leads to Chronic Inflammation & Immunotherapy Resistance

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

 Cancer cells can break down the protective covers around nerves, causing nerve injury that triggers chronic inflammation leading to immune exhaustion and eventual resistance to immunotherapy, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Image for illustration purposes
 Cancer cells can break down the protective covers around nerves, causing nerve injury that triggers chronic inflammation leading to immune exhaustion and eventual resistance to immunotherapy, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Image for illustration purposes
- Advertisement -

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

HOUSTON, Texas ― Cancer cells can break down the protective covers around nerves, causing nerve injury that triggers chronic inflammation leading to immune exhaustion and eventual resistance to immunotherapy, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Study finds cancer cells break down protective nerve coverings, leading to nerve injury and chronic inflammation
These nerve injuries drive immune exhaustion and immunotherapy resistance
Targeting the cancer-induced nerve injury pathway can reverse resistance and improve treatment response
Findings highlight importance of studying cancer neuroscience – the interactions between cancer and the nervous system

The study, published today in Nature, underscores the importance of investigating interactions between cancer and the nervous system – a field known as cancer neuroscience. The results suggest that targeting the signaling pathways involved can reverse this inflammation and improve treatment responses. 

- Advertisement -

“These findings uncover novel mechanisms by which the immune system and nerves within the tumor microenvironment interact, revealing actionable targets that could transform the way we approach resistance to immunotherapy in patients with cancer,” said co-corresponding author Moran Amit, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Head and Neck Surgery. “This marks a significant advance in our understanding of tumor-neuro-immune dynamics, highlighting the importance of investigating the interplay of cancer and neuroscience in meaningful ways that can directly impact clinical practice.” 

Tumors can sometimes infiltrate the space around nerves and nervous system fibers that are in close proximity, a process known as perineural invasion, which leads to poor prognosis and treatment escalation in various cancer types. However, little is known about how this invasion affects or interacts with the immune system. 

The study, co-led by Amit, Neil Gross, M.D., professor of Head and Neck Surgery, and Jing Wang, Ph.D., professor of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, examined the role of perineural invasion and cancer-associated nerve injury in relation to the development of immunotherapy resistance commonly seen in patients with squamous cell carcinomamelanoma and stomach cancer

Collaborating with the immunotherapy platform, part of the James P. Allison Institute, the team analyzed trial samples using advanced genetic, bioinformatic and spatial techniques. The researchers revealed that cancer cells break down the protective myelin sheaths that cover nerve fibers, and that the injured nerves promote their own healing and regeneration through an inflammatory response. 

- Advertisement -

Unfortunately, this inflammatory response gets caught in a chronic feedback loop as tumors continue to grow, repeatedly damaging nerves which then recruit and exhaust the immune system, ushering in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that leads to treatment resistance. The study showed that targeting the cancer-induced nerve injury pathway at different points can reverse this resistance and improve treatment response. 

Importantly, the authors point out that this reduced neuronal health is directly associated with perineural invasion and cancer-induced nerve injury, rather than a general cancer-induced effect, highlighting the importance of studying cancer-nerve interactions that can potentially contribute to cancer progression. 

As part of MD Anderson’s Cancer Neuroscience Program, researchers are investigating scientific themes – such as neurobiology, tumors of the brain and spine, neurotoxicities and neurobehavioral health – to understand how the nervous system and cancer interact and how this affects patients throughout their cancer journey.

The multi-institutional study was a global collaboration between MD Anderson, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the University of Michigan, Moffitt Cancer Center and Queens University. The study was supported in part by the James P. Allison Institute and the Cancer Neuroscience Program at MD Anderson. A full list of collaborating authors and their disclosures can be found with the paper

Information source: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

Just Knowing Help Is There Makes All The Difference

 People who feel supported by family, friends and colleagues tend to have better mental health, perform more effectively at work and experience positive outcomes in other areas such as physical health, education and risk-taking behaviors, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

Cold, Flu, RSV or COVID? A Parent’s Guide to a Child’s Symptoms

As we head deeper into fall and toward the holiday season, your little one may start to exhibit symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or fever. But with the overlap between the common cold, influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19, it can be difficult to know what is behind their illness and how to treat it.

Risks of Taking Weight Loss Supplements

 GLP-1 medications are continuing to grow in popularity, but not everyone is eligible for them. As a result, some are opting to take weight-loss supplements instead, which doctors warn can be unsafe. 

STHS Hosting Get Hired Event, Thursday, Oct. 23rd

o provide quality, compassionate care across its 12 facilities, South Texas Health System – the largest integrated network of care in the Rio Grande Valley – depends on its diverse team of stellar healthcare professionals. And STHS is currently looking to expand its team by filling various clinical and non-clinical positions, including roles at STHS Edinburg, STHS Children’s and STHS Behavioral. 
- Advertisement -
×