Cancer cells co-opt nociceptive nerves to thrive in nutrient-poor environments and upon nutrient-starvation therapies

Although nutrient-starvation therapies can elicit strong anti-tumor effects in multiple carcinomas, it has been convincingly demonstrated that cancer cells exploit the tumor microenvironment to thrive in nutrient-poor environments. Here, we reveal that cancer cells can co-opt nociceptive nerves to thrive in nutrient-poor en-vironments. Initially examining the low-glucose environment of oral mucosa carcinomas, we discovered that cancer cells employ ROS-triggered activation of c-Jun to secrete nerve growth factor (NGF), which condi-tions nociceptive nerves for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) production. The neurogenic CGRP subsequently induces cytoprotective autophagy in cancer cells through Rap1-mediated disruption of the mTOR-Raptor interaction. Both anti-glycolysis and anti-angiogenesis-based nutrient-starvation therapies aggravate the vicious cycle of cancer cells and nociceptive nerves and therapeutically benefit from blocking neurogenic CGRP with an FDA-approved antimigraine drug. Our study sheds light on the role of the nocicep-tive nerve as a microenvironmental accomplice of cancer progression in nutrient-poor environments and upon nutrient-starvation therapies.

Automated summary

This study reveals that cancer cells can utilize nociceptive nerves to survive in nutrient-poor environments. Cancer cells secrete NGF through ROS-triggered activation of c-Jun, which stimulates nerves to produce CGRP. The neurogenic CGRP induces cytoprotective autophagy in cancer cells through Rap1-mediated disruption of the mTOR-Raptor interaction. Blocking CGRP can inhibit the vicious cycle between cancer cells and nerves and therapeutically benefit nutrient-starvation therapies.