Melanoma innervation is associated with cancer progression in a zebrafish xenograft model

The peripheral nervous system has a key role in regulating tumour biology in different types of cancer. Here, by modelling aggressive melanoma in larval zebrafish xenografts, we highlight the dynamics of tumour innervation in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Axonogenesis and dendritogenesis are detected in the motoneurons surrounding the melanoma niche and neurogenesis is observed in the nearby population of the enteric nervous system. We also demonstrate the crucial role of catecholamines in promoting melanoma progression, supporting in vivo cancer cell dissemination and invasion. This zebrafish model will allow to uncover neural markers associated with melanoma progression to help in the design of innovative anti-neurogenic therapies targeting specifically the neuronal signals that regulate melanoma progression. ![Figure][1] Highlights ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. [1]: pending:yes