Researchers at the University of South Alabama discovered that neurons in and around tumors physically transfer their mitochondria to breast cancer cells, dramatically boosting the cancer cells' energy production and ability to spread. Using a novel genetic tracking tool called MitoTRACER, the team traced cancer cells that received neuronal mitochondria and found they were selectively enriched at metastatic sites. Denervating tumors with botulinum toxin reduced cancer cell mitochondrial content and suppressed metabolic activity. The transfer occurred primarily through tunneling nanotubes requiring direct cell contact. These findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which the nervous system fuels cancer progression and suggest nerve-cancer metabolic crosstalk as a potential therapeutic target.
