Neural Influence on Colorectal Carcinogenesis: Unraveling Neural Signatures and Tumor-Neural Crosstalk

This PhD research explored how the enteric nervous system, which consists of specialized neurons and glial cells, interacts with colorectal cancer, a major health issue worldwide. The study reviewed cancer models and emphasized the importance of including components of the nervous system to gain better insights into colorectal tumor development. It developed protocols to isolate cells from the enteric nervous system and identified patterns of changes in neural-related DNA across various types of cancer, suggesting that these genes may play a role in cancer progression. Using mouse models, the research demonstrated that the loss of neurons did not directly promote colorectal tumor growth but instead altered the immune system’s response to colorectal cancer. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that glial cells within colorectal tumors exhibit altered ratio of immune-specialized glia. This research enhances understanding of the role of the nervous system in colorectal cancer and highlights potential new approaches for treatment.