Hidden cause of gastrointestinal cancer identified

Australian scientists have discovered that the nervous system located in the gastrointestinal tract may directly contribute to tumor development. The findings were published in the journal BMJ Oncology.

Researchers from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University’s School of Oncology found that the neuropeptide CGRP and its receptor RAMP1 actively stimulate the growth of stomach and colon tumors.

According to Dr. Pavita Paratan, who led the study, nerve fibers within tumors absorb the CGRP neuropeptide, which promotes tumor growth. Moreover, the tumor cells themselves were found to produce this compound, suggesting that tumors may use nerve signaling to support their development. The researcher noted that drugs capable of blocking this process already exist.

These medications, which target CGRP and RAMP1, are currently used to treat migraines. Since they are already approved and well-studied, they could be quickly adapted for cancer therapy. Experiments showed that genetically removing the RAMP1 receptor from tumor cells significantly reduced their growth ability.

The study’s senior author, Dr. Lisa Mielke, head of the ONJCRI laboratory, emphasized that exploring the role of the nervous system in cancer development is a promising new research direction. The next stage of the research will involve testing the anti-tumor efficacy of existing migraine medications. In the future, specialists plan to include CGRP inhibitors in clinical trials alongside standard colorectal cancer treatments.

It is worth noting that earlier, the World Health Organization reported that more than 3 billion people—around 40 percent of the global population—are currently affected by neurological disorders.

                                                         Mohichehra Qadamova