Neural architecture as cancer's safe harbor.

McIlvried, Lisa A; Gelboin-Burkhart, Chelsea A; Scheff, Nicole N · Sci Transl Med · 2026

Where this comes from

Abstract

Targeting peripheral nerves improves antitumor immunity despite overlapping molecular expression in neurons and tumor stroma. This advantage may be due to preexisting innervation establishing spatially restricted signaling zones that favor immune suppression early in transformation. This framework suggests potential therapeutic opportunities by disrupting neural architecture rather than blocking individual mediators.

Medical subject headings