Role of sensory neurons, neuroimmune pathways, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in a murine model of breast cancer metastasis

In conclusion, sensory nerve fibers sensitive to capsaicin have important roles in defense against metastatic breast carcinoma; hence, controlled activation of these neural pathways might be effective in cancer therapy. Specifically, activation of sensory fibers of left vagus nerve using a perineuronal stimulation may inhibit metastasis of breast carcinoma. Likewise, pharmacological modulators of TRPV1 channels may induce anti-tumoral immune response. Exact players of this newly explored defense system are, however, only partly validated, and further studies are required.
Source: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research