IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-The enteric nervous system shields colon cancer from immunosurveillance

The enteric nervous system shields colon cancer from immunosurveillance

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Video Summary

The talk explored how the enteric nervous system influences colorectal cancer immunosurveillance. Using AOM/DSS and other mouse models, the speaker showed that colorectal tumors are densely innervated by intrinsic enteric neurons. T cells, especially CD4 and CD8 cells, were found near neurons in the tumor microenvironment. Enteric neurons responded strongly to IFN-γ and TNF-α, upregulating checkpoint molecules including PD-L1 and IL-18 binding protein. Disabling IFN-γ signaling, PD-L1, or IL-18BP in enteric neurons reduced tumor burden and improved CD8 T-cell function, with cholinergic neurons identified as a key subset driving this effect. The speaker also tested a decoy-resistant IL-18 therapy, DR-18, in an invasive colon cancer model and found robust tumor clearance, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.

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Date April 18, 2026 9:06 AM - 9:21 AM

Room 253

Session Major Symposium E: Neuroimmune Landscapes Across the Body: Circuitry and Cytokines

Speaker Ademi Zhakyp

Track Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

Year 2026

Keywords

enteric nervous system

colorectal cancer

immunosurveillance

PD-L1

IL-18 therapy

April 18, 2026 9:06 AM - 9:21 AM

253

Major Symposium E: Neuroimmune Landscapes Across the Body: Circuitry and Cytokines

Ademi Zhakyp

Neuroimmunology (NEUR)

2026