The role of enteric neurons in the development and progression of colorectal cancer

Glenn Rademakers, Nathalie Vaes, Simone Schonkeren, Alexander Koch, Keith A. Sharkey, Veerle Melotte*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

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Abstract

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the intrinsic neural network of the gastrointestinal tract, which is essential for regulating gut functions and intestinal homeostasis. The importance of the ENS is underscored by the existence of severe gastrointestinal diseases, such as Hirschsprung's disease and intestinal pseudo-obstruction, which arise when the ENS fails to develop normally or becomes dysregulated. Moreover, it is known that enteric neurons are involved in intestinal inflammation. However, the role of the ENS in colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis remains poorly understood, even though processes like perineural invasion and neoneurogenesis are important factors in CRC. Here we summarize how enteric neurons are affected during CRC and discuss the influence of enteric neurons, either direct or indirect, on the development and/or progression of CRC. Finally, we illustrate how the ENS could be targeted as a potential anti-cancer therapy, establishing the ENS as an integral part of the tumor microenvironment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)420-434
Number of pages15
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta-reviews on Cancer
Volume1868
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Enteric nervous system
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Intestinal inflammation
  • Tumor microenvironment
  • VASOACTIVE-INTESTINAL-PEPTIDE
  • HUMAN COLON-CANCER
  • TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR
  • REGULATES GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY
  • UNRESECTABLE PANCREATIC-CANCER
  • CYCLASE-ACTIVATING POLYPEPTIDE
  • NERVOUS-SYSTEM
  • PERINEURAL INVASION
  • EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS
  • SUBSTANCE-P

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