Neurotransmitters in tumors: chemical cross-talk shaping tumor progression.

The role of innervation in the pathogenesis of malignancies has been documented in many investigations. Recent studies have revealed that neurotransmitters act as mediators in nerve-stimulated cancer progression by directly influencing tumor cells and modulating the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, angiogenesis, and surrounding stromal cells. Notably, psychological stress has been identified as a contributing factor to oncogenesis, primarily mediated by neurotransmitters. However, the complex interplay between neurotransmitters and tumor cells remains only partially understood. In this review, we explore newly identified mechanisms through which neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, γ-aminobutyric acid, neurotensin, and neuropeptide Y) regulate cancer initiation and progression, along with potential therapeutic strategies derived from these findings.