Social connection doesn’t just feel good—it may also help the body fight cancer. A new study in mice shows that social interaction can slow tumor growth by activating a specific brain pathway.
Researchers discovered that when mice engaged in social behaviors, neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) sent excitatory signals to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). This corticoamygdala circuit reduced activity of sympathetic nerves inside tumors, which are known to fuel cancer growth.
When scientists blocked this brain circuit, the benefits of social interaction disappeared: tumors grew faster, and the calming, anxiety-reducing effects of companionship were lost. Conversely, artificially reactivating the circuit mimicked the protective power of social interaction, slowing tumor progression and easing anxiety—even without social contact.
The team also found that this pathway influences tumor progression by regulating the release of norepinephrine, a stress-related chemical, and shaping the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
These findings suggest that the brain plays a critical role in linking social experiences to cancer biology. While the work was conducted in mice, it offers intriguing clues for human health—hinting that social support and connectedness could one day be leveraged as part of cancer therapy.
SOURCE: https://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(25)00509-4?utm_medium=homepage
CREDITS: CELL PRESS