Neurotrophin Receptors and Perineural Invasion: Analyses in Select Lineage-Unrelated Cutaneous Malignancies With a Propensity for Perineural Invasion

Abstract

In this chapter, we parse the literature on neurotrophins that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of perineural invasion (PNI) in select lineage-unrelated malignancies. We also detail evidence linking neurotrophins and their receptors (TrkA, RET, p75NGFR, and NCAM) to the pathogenesis of PNI in desmoplastic melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma-both malignancies with an established propensity for PNI. Lastly, the clinical potential of neurotrophins as receptors for targeted therapies is explored.

Keywords: Cutaneous malignancies; GDNF–RET axis; NGF–TrkA axis; Perineural invasion.