Epigenetic Regulation of Trk Receptors and Neurotrophic Signalling in Neuroblastoma: Mechanisms, Plasticity, and Therapeutic Opportunities
) loci. Instead, Trk receptor expression is dynamically shaped by promoter methylation, polycomb repressive complex 2/Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (PRC2/EZH2)-dependent chromatin repression, MYCN-driven transcriptional silencing, enhancer rewiring, and microRNA-mediated control. These epigenetic mechanisms govern reversible transitions along the adrenergic-mesenchymal (ADRN-MES) continuum, enabling tumour cells to adapt to microenvironmental and therapeutic stress. Single-cell and spatial multi-omics approaches have further revealed that Trk-associated phenotypes are embedded within complex regulatory circuits integrating receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) networks, cytokine signalling, metabolic remodelling, and stromal reinforcement. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the epigenetic and microenvironmental mechanisms regulating neurotrophin receptors in NB, with particular emphasis on how chromatin plasticity and cell-state transitions reshape Trk-dependent signalling outputs. We discuss advanced three-dimensional and organoid-based models that recapitulate niche-specific regulation of the Trk axis and evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies combining epigenetic modulators, differentiation-inducing agents, and RTK-targeted compounds. Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of Trk signalling may open new opportunities to therapeutically stabilise differentiation states and disrupt adaptive resistance programs in high-risk NB.
Authors
- Carlotta Siddi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1042-3993)
- Simona Dedoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7330-2179)
- Paola Fadda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0642-6710)
- Jihane Balla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6023-0508)
Institutions
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- Neuroscience Institute (IT)
- National Research Council (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Published
- 2026-04-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073238
- Primary Topic
- Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00