Key nervous system components shown to influence gastrointestinal tumour growth

New research finds that common nervous system components are present in the gastrointestinal tract where they influence tumour growth, revealing untapped opportunities for cancer treatment.

GLOBAL: Australian researchers have identified two nervous system components that drive tumour growth in gastrointestinal cancers, creating promising new avenues for treatment with existing approved therapies.  

Our gut contains its very own nervous system and is commonly regarded as the second brain. Key players of this system are neuropeptides, the signalling factors that are produced and released by nerves. These factors relay messages throughout our nervous system by connecting to receptors on the outside of cells, influencing a variety of processes.[1]

The team at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) and La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine discovered that CGRP, a common neuropeptide, and its receptor RAMP1 influence tumour growth in colorectal and stomach cancers.

This is a significant breakthrough because drugs targeting CGRP and RAMP1 are already available to treat migraine.[2] These therapies could potentially be repurposed to treat cancer, fast-tracking the path for clinical use.

Lead author of the paper published in BMJ Oncology today, Dr Pavitha Parathan, says:

“We were surprised to see not only nerve fibres containing CGRP inside the tumours and potently promoting their growth, but also the tumour cells themselves producing CGRP.

“This is very impactful because we have identified a new way that tumours can manipulate their environment to sustain their growth. The good news is that there may already be drugs available to block this and halt tumour growth.

“This is a druggable nerve–tumour pathway with existing therapies that are already well tolerated in other diseases, supporting ONJCRI’s goal of making cancer treatments not just effective, but kinder and easier on the patient.”

The researchers used advanced genetic engineering techniques to delete the RAMP1 receptor in tumour cells, which significantly reduced their growth.

Dr Lisa Mielke, paper senior author and Laboratory Head at ONJCRI (the La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine), says: “The role of the nervous system in cancer is an exciting new area of research, with high potential for novel treatment approaches.”

“The next phase of our research will involve testing existing migraine therapies that inhibit CGRP to repurpose these drugs as cancer treatments.

“In the future, we hope to incorporate the existing CGRP inhibitors in clinical trials alongside conventional colorectal cancer therapies.”

Globally, gastrointestinal cancers are responsible for 1 in 4 cancer cases (4.8 million) and 1 in 3 cancer deaths (3.4 million).[3]

This work was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Ideas Grants 2011558 (LAM) and 1185513 (LAM and DW), Victorian Cancer Agency mid- career fellowship 1123388 (LAM), a Tour de Cure Postgraduate PhD Scholarship Grant (PP), Tour de Cure Senior Investigator Grant (LAM) and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation (OMS), and the Victorian State Government.

The research team included collaborators from Austin Health, Monash University, Harvard University and WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research).

ENDS 

About the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI)

ONJCRI is a global leader in advancing cancer research, driven by the singular goal of improving patient outcomes. We drive progress by discovering and developing diagnostics and therapeutics that are more effective, tolerable, and accessible.

ONJCRI adopts a tumour-agnostic approach, targeting shared pathways across multiple cancer types. This innovative strategy enables us to deliver scalable and impactful therapies that benefit diverse patient populations, accelerating progress across the entire landscape.

By bridging laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, ONJCRI is redefining how cancer treatments are designed and delivered: from bedside to bench to bedside. With a steadfast commitment to equity, innovation, and collaboration, we strive to transform cancer care, addressing unmet needs and overcoming disparities in access for all communities. For more about the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, visit www.onjcri.org.au.

ONJCRI is an independent medical research institute and is affiliated with La Trobe University as the School of Cancer Medicine.

[1] https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/neuropeptide

[2] https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspmd/nurtec-odt

[3] https://gco.iarc.fr/stories/gastro-intestinal/en