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. 2021 Apr 12;7:76. doi: 10.1038/s41420-021-00450-y

Fig. 1. The nerve–tumor crosstalk.

Fig. 1

Nerves can secrete the neuroactive molecules that act on tumor cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages to promote tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. In turn, tumor cells migrate to nerves and damage them to induce the cancer-associated pain. Moreover, tumor cells secrete cytokines, which drive nerve reprogramming and regeneration. PNI perineural invasion.