Neural plasticity of the uterus: New targets for endometrial cancer?

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological malignancy in Western countries and is expected to increase in the following years because of the high index of obesity in the population. Recently, neural signaling has been recognized as part of the tumor microenvironment, playing an active role in tumor progression and invasion of different solid tumor types. The uterus stands out for the physiological plasticity of its peripheral nerves due to cyclic remodeling brought on by estrogen and progesterone hormones throughout the reproductive cycle. Therefore, a precise understanding of nerve-cancer crosstalk and the contribution of the organ-intrinsic neuroplasticity, mediated by estrogen and progesterone, of the uterine is urgently needed. The development of new and innovative medicines for patients with endometrial cancer would increase their quality of life and health. This review compiles information on the architecture and function of autonomous uterine neural innervations and the influence of hormone-dependent nerves in normal uterus and tumor progression. It also explores new therapeutic possibilities for endometrial cancer using these endocrine and neural advantages.

Automated summary

Endometrial carcinoma, the most common gynecological malignancy in Western countries, is expected to increase in the following years due to high obesity rates in the population. Neural signaling has been identified as part of the tumor microenvironment, playing an active role in the progression and invasion of different solid tumor types. Therefore, a precise understanding of the structure and function of autonomous uterine neural innervations, as well as the influence of hormone-dependent nerves in tumor progression, is urgently needed.