Until recently, the nerves were seen as simple extras in the history of cancer. But today they appear as real accomplices. Several research, including a published in the scientific journal Nature in 2019 reveals that nerve cells are not content to be spectators: they interact directly with cancer cells, stimulant their spread.
These discoveries mark a new era in the field of cancer neuroscience. A specialty in full effervescence that studies the multiple strategies used by tumors To divert the functioning of the nervous system for its benefit. “But beyond this progress in basic research, our primary objective remains the development of the new treatments that our patients absolutely need,” explains in the Nature study, Erica Sloan, a biologist specializing in cancer at Monash University, in Melbourne.
The first nerve observations present in tumors do not date from yesterday. In 1836, French professor Jean Cruveilhier reported a case in which Breast cancer had invaded the cranial nerve Responsible for facial movements and its sensations. But his observation has long been underestimated.
Cancer uses nerves as a rail to progress
It was not until 1998 that researcher Gustavo Ayala was really interested in it. He studied a phenomenon called “invasion périneurale”where cancer cells cling to the nerves and use them as a way to move.
In his experiences, Professor Ayala places mouse nerves in a box with human cells of prostate cancer. In one day, the nerves are starting to train extensions to cancer cells. Once in contact, cancer uses nerves as a rail to progress in their direction.
In 2008, the scientist published a study showing that the prostate cancer tissues contain more nerves than healthy tissues. From there, several researchers around the world are starting to see tumors no longer as a cluster of cells, but as A real mini-organizationcomposed of several cell types, including nerves.
When the nerves help cancer defend itself
But how to explain it? Tumors do not remain inactive. They attract the nearby nerves, a bit like a magnet. Once connected, these nerves Send chemical signals who help the tumor develop. Worse, these signals push the body to create more lymphatic vessels, canals used by cancer cells to move elsewhere in the body.
And that’s not all: these nervous signals also weaken the immune system. They exhaust the cells twho are the “soldiers” of the body responsible for destroying cancer cells. They even activate immune cells which, instead of fighting the tumor, help him develop. Result: the more a tumor is surrounded by nerves, the more difficult it is to treat.
Faced with these discoveries, researchers are launching new clinical trials. Their idea: to reuse already known drugs, like some antiepileptics or beta-blockersto block the dialogue between nerves and cancer cells. And the first results are encouraging: tumors become less aggressive and conventional treatments work better.
Accessible and inexpensive drugs: a promising track
Discover that the nerves help cancer develop upset our understanding of the disease. By preventing this “conversation” between nerve and cancer cells, we could Create more targeted treatmentsless heavy and more effective.
Of course, cancer remains a serious illness. But there are real reasons to hope. For example, in France, recent data show a significant improvement in net survival at 5 years For many localized cancers, such as prostate cancer, with rates that often exceed 90 %. In the United Kingdom, one in two people diagnosed with cancer today is still alive ten years later. In the United States, cancer mortality has dropped 34 % in twenty years. In Australia, 70 % of patients live at least five years after their diagnosis.
This progress is linked to the drop in smoking, screening, but also to new treatments, as immunotherapy. This method helps the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It has already saved thousands of lives.
Today, a new approach is emerging: preventing tumors from using the nerves to expand and defend themselves. This change of perspective could become One of the next major advances in oncology. And the good news is that the necessary drugs already exist. They are often inexpensive and easy to produce.
In a context where a lot of cancer treatments cost extremely expensive, this discovery could change everything. She offers a chance to imagine more accessible solutionsquick to implement, and fair for patients around the world.
