Neurodegeneration rewires the tumor microenvironment via the neuro-immune-cancer axis.

🤖 Plain-English Summary

Neurodegeneration and cancer, long considered opposing processes, neuronal loss versus uncontrolled proliferation, are increasingly recognized as mechanistically convergent. We propose a mechanistic, target-based therapeutic classification that transcends disease boundaries.

🔑 Key Findings

• This review reframes the field by positioning neurodegeneration as an active driver of tumor evolution.
• Integrating insights from multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics, and neuroimmune-microbiota studies, we show how degenerating neurons disrupt DNA repair, mitochondrial function, immune regulation, and barrier integrity, thereby creating tumor-permissive niches.
• Particular emphasis is placed on the enteric nervous system, where neuronal loss promotes colorectal and pancreatic cancers through immune suppression and microbial dysbiosis.

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