Genomic Interplay between Neoneurogenesis and Neoangiogenesis in Carcinogenesis: Therapeutic Interventions

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review describes how the two processes of angiogenesis (the generation of new blood vessels) and neurogenesis (the generation of new nerve fibers) act together to drive cancer progression. It also describes how they are both associated with a lower rate of patient survival. These two processes share signaling pathways and, in many cases, the initiation of one leads to the initiation of the other. Both processes require tissue alterations and are reliant on cell migration. They favor cancer progression by supplying the tumor with nutrients and facilitating communication/movements within the tumor. Thus, these two processes contribute to the spread of cancers, as tumors can use nerve fibers and blood vessels as a routes to migrate from the initial point of cancer development to the surrounding area or to the distal sites of the body. ABSTRACT: Angiogenesis, the generation of new blood vessels, is one of the hallmarks of cancer. The growing tumor requires nutrients and oxygen. Recent evidence has shown that tumors release signals to attract new nerve fibers and stimulate the growth of new nerve fibers. Neurogenesis, neural extension, and axonogenesis assist in the migration of cancer cells. Cancer cells can use both blood vessels and nerve fibers as routes for cells to move along. In this way, neurogenesis and angiogenesis both contribute to cancer metastasis. As a result, tumor-induced neurogenesis joins angiogenesis and immunosuppression as aberrant processes that are exacerbated within the tumor microenvironment. The relationship between these processes contributes to cancer development and progression. The interplay between these systems is brought about by cytokines, neurotransmitters, and neuromodulators, which activate signaling pathways that are common to angiogenesis and the nervous tissue. These include the AKT signaling pathways, the MAPK pathway, and the Ras signaling pathway. These processes also both require the remodeling of tissues. The interplay of these processes in cancer provides the opportunity to develop novel therapies that can be used to target these processes.