Unraveling the peripheral nervous System's role in tumor: A Double-edged Sword

Abstract

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, comprising various cells like neurons and glial cells, such as schwann and satellite cells. The PNS is increasingly recognized for its bidirectional interactions with tumors, exhibiting both pro- and anti-tumor effects. Our review delves into the complex mechanisms underlying these interactions, highlighting recent findings that challenge the conventional understanding of PNS's role in tumorigenesis. We emphasize the contradictory results in the literature and propose novel perspectives on how these discrepancies can be resolved. By focusing on the PNS's influence on tumor initiation, progression, and microenvironment remodeling, we provide a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond the structural description of the PNS. Our review suggests that a deeper comprehension of the PNS-tumor crosstalk is pivotal for developing targeted anticancer strategies. We conclude by emphasizing the need for future research to unravel the intricate dynamics of the PNS in cancer, which may lead to innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Contradictory results; Crosstalk; Peripheral nervous system; Targeted therapies; Tumor.