About this Research Topic
Perineural invasion (PNI), a process where cancer cells spread along nerves, stands as an understudied yet crucial path of metastasis in various solid tumors, including those of the head, neck, prostate, pancreas, and more. Often overlooked compared to more traditional dissemination pathways like lymphatic and hematogenous spread, PNI is associated with high morbidity and serves as an indicator of poor prognosis and lower survival rates. This dissemination along nerves complicates surgical interventions, frequently making it difficult to achieve clear margins during tumor resections, thereby contributing to suboptimal outcome scenarios.
This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms driving PNI and explore potential molecular targets for innovative therapies to inhibit this particular route of cancer spread. The focus will be on detailing the interaction between tumor cells and neural components, such as Schwann cells, which facilitate the perineural space becoming a conducive environment for tumor progression and dissemination.
The scope of this Research Topic encompasses research on both the mechanisms underpinning PNI and its clinical repercussions, aiming at identifying potential therapeutic targets. The following themes are particularly encouraged for submission:
- Biological pathways facilitating PNI in various cancers.
- Interactions between tumor cells and nerve cells.
- Clinical outcomes associated with PNI presence in malignancies.
- Novel therapeutic approaches targeting PNI.
- Case studies and reviews on the role of PNI in cancer prognosis and treatment challenges.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent clinical or patient cohort, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo, which are not based on public databases) are not suitable for publication in this Research Topic.
This Research Topic aims to deepen the understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms driving PNI and explore potential molecular targets for innovative therapies to inhibit this particular route of cancer spread. The focus will be on detailing the interaction between tumor cells and neural components, such as Schwann cells, which facilitate the perineural space becoming a conducive environment for tumor progression and dissemination.
The scope of this Research Topic encompasses research on both the mechanisms underpinning PNI and its clinical repercussions, aiming at identifying potential therapeutic targets. The following themes are particularly encouraged for submission:
- Biological pathways facilitating PNI in various cancers.
- Interactions between tumor cells and nerve cells.
- Clinical outcomes associated with PNI presence in malignancies.
- Novel therapeutic approaches targeting PNI.
- Case studies and reviews on the role of PNI in cancer prognosis and treatment challenges.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent clinical or patient cohort, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo, which are not based on public databases) are not suitable for publication in this Research Topic.
Keywords: Peri-neural invasion, metastasis, local invasion, tumor dissemination, Schwann cells
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
