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Neural crossroads of pancreatic cancer: how nociceptors drive tumor progression and immune evasion

Carmen Mota Reyes¹ , Helmut Friess¹ , Ihsan Ekin Demir^1,2,3,*

¹Department of Surgery, TUM University Hospital, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
²Else Kröner Clinician Scientist Professor for Translational Pancreatic Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
³Division of HPB Surgery, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
* Correspondence: Ihsan Ekin Demir(ekin.demir@tum.de)

Nociceptor neurons actively promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression by suppressing immune responses through interactions with cancer-associated fibroblasts. Targeting their signaling pathways offers a novel strategy for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and managing cancer pain.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41422-025-01124-5

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