Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is important for cancer growth and progress, and the field of cancer neuroscience is now emerging. Here, we asked whether neurogenesis and angiogenesis are associated features in breast cancer and related to aggressive behavior. By studies of proteins and mRNA scores in human breast cancer cohorts, we found that neurogenesis and a consolidated neuro-angiogenic signature were linked to high-grade breast cancer characteristics and reduced survival, also within the luminal tumor subgroup. Cases with high neuro-angiogenic score were split in two subclusters, one hormone receptor negative and one receptor positive. Single cell-based spatial mapping by imaging mass cytometry indicated significant colocalization of neural and vascular structures, suggesting the presence of neuro-vascular niches within the tumor tissue. Our findings might be relevant for improved patient stratification and further exploration of novel treatment targets.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.
