Vagus innervation in the gastrointestinal tumor: Current understanding and challenges

Yan-Ting Li; Wen-Zhen Yuan; Wei-Lin Jin

doi:10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188884

Vagus innervation in the gastrointestinal tumor: Current understanding and challenges

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2023 May;1878(3):188884. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188884. Epub 2023 Mar 28.

Authors

Yan-Ting Li¹, Wen-Zhen Yuan², Wei-Lin Jin³

Affiliations

¹ The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
² The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. Electronic address: yuanwzh@lzu.edu.cn.
³ The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. Electronic address: ldyy_jinwl@lzu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36990250
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188884

Abstract

The vagus nerve (VN) is the main parasympathetic nerve of the autonomic nervous system. It is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and maintains gastrointestinal homeostasis with the sympathetic nerve under physiological conditions. The VN communicates with various components of the tumor microenvironment to positively and dynamically affect the progression of gastrointestinal tumors (GITs). The intervention in vagus innervation delays GIT progression. Developments in adeno-associated virus vectors, nanotechnology, and in vivo neurobiological techniques have enabled the creation of precisely regulated "tumor neurotherapies". The present review aimed to summarize the mechanisms of communication between the VN and the gastrointestinal TME and to explore the potential and challenges of VN-based tumor neurotherapy in GITs.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal tumor; Innervation; Neurotherapy; Vagotomy; Vagus nerve stimulation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms*
Homeostasis
Humans
Nervous System Physiological Phenomena*
Tumor Microenvironment
Vagus Nerve / physiology