Low number of neurosecretory vesicles in neuroblastoma impairs massive catecholamine release and prevents hypertension (vol 13, 1027856, 2022)

The low amount of neurosecretory vesicles in NB cytoplasm prevents catecholamine storage and lead to their rapid transformation by catechol O-methyltransferase into metanephrines that diffuse in blood. Hence, in contrast to PHEO/PGL, catecholamines are not secreted massively in the blood, which explains why systemic hypertension is not observed in most patients with NB.