Soft vagus nerve stimulator reshapes pancreatic tumor immunity in mice
Published in Brain/Neurology, Immunology, Journals, Tools.
Published October 28, 2026.
A miniature implantable stimulator has been tested as a way to influence pancreatic tumor immunity through the vagus nerve. Liu and colleagues describe the device in Nature Communications, published October 26.
The system targets the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve near the esophagus. Its soft interface combines an injectable adhesive conductive hydrogel with a deformable liquid-metal electrode, designed to maintain electrical contact as surrounding tissues move. Wireless power removes the need for an implanted battery, and the device can be rolled into a compact configuration for implantation.
In an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer, chronic stimulation suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. The researchers also observed changes in tumor innervation, a shift toward an M1-like tumor-associated macrophage phenotype and greater infiltration by cytotoxic immune cells. Stimulation further enhanced the activity of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in this model.
This is preclinical evidence for a neural route to modifying the tumor microenvironment. It does not establish effectiveness or safety in people with pancreatic cancer; further validation and clinical studies would be needed.
Source: Liu et al., Nature Communications. Published October 26, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-79002-w.