Oncology research spotlights circular RNAs and nerve‑tumor interactions

Recent review articles highlight two emerging areas in cancer research. One examines circular RNAs (circRNAs), stable closed‑loop RNA molecules that influence pathways linked to treatment‑related toxicity such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage. The review notes that circRNAs can both exacerbate and mitigate organ‑specific toxicities—including cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal injury—and may serve as early biomarkers or therapeutic targets to improve patient quality of life during chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

A second review focuses on nerve‑tumor interactions, describing how peripheral nerves and tumors engage in bidirectional communication that drives cancer progression, metastasis and treatment resistance. Key processes such as perineural invasion, axonogenesis and neurogenesis reshape the tumor microenvironment, influencing immune cells, stromal components and blood vessels. The article discusses therapeutic strategies that disrupt neural signaling or target nerve growth factors, including repurposing neuroactive drugs and nerve‑targeted interventions to curb tumor growth and alleviate cancer‑related pain.