Neuroimmune Communications in Cancer

Nerves are an integral component of solid tumors; however, their role in the tumor microenvironmentTumor microenvironment remains underexplored. Peripheral nerves in tumors are associated with metastasisMetastasis, angiogenesisAngiogenesis, and recently with immune dysfunction. Immune cells express a plethora of receptors for neurotransmittersNeurotransmitter, and therefore these nerves can directly impact immune cell function in the tumor microenvironmentTumor microenvironment. Furthermore, immune cells can produce some neurotransmittersNeurotransmitter themselves, further adding to the complexity of the system. In this chapter, we will summarize the current understanding of what role peripheral nerves serve in the tumor, and how these nerves and selected neurotransmittersNeurotransmitter influence anti-tumor immunity.