The substance P/NK-1 receptor system: NK-1 receptor antagonists as anti-cancer drugs.
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Date
2015-06
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Abstract
The substance P (SP)/neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor system plays an important role in cancer. SP promotes the
proliferation of tumour cells, angiogenesis and the migration of tumour cells. We review the involvement of SP,
the NK-1 receptor and NK-1 receptor antagonists in cancer. Tumour cells overexpress NK-1 receptors, which are
involved in their viability. This overexpression suggests the possibility of specific treatment against tumour cells using
NK-1 receptor antagonists, thus promoting a considerable decrease in the side effects of the treatment. This strategy
opens up new approaches for cancer treatment, since these antagonists, after binding to their molecular target, induce
the death of tumour cells by apoptosis, exert an antiangiogenic action and inhibit the migration of tumour cells. The
use of NK-1 receptor antagonists such as aprepitant (used in clinical practice) as antitumour agents could be a
promising innovation. The value of aprepitant as an antitumour agent could be determined faster than for less wellknown
compounds because many studies addressing its safety and characterization have already been completed. The
NK-1 receptor may be a promising target in the treatment of cancer; NK-1 receptor antagonists could act as specific
drugs against tumour cells; and these antagonists could be new candidate anti-cancer drugs.
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Keywords
Angiogenesis, apoptosis, aprepitant, neurokinin-1, substance P, tumour
Citation
Muñoz Miguel, Coveñas Rafael, Esteban Francisco, Redondo Maximino. The substance P/NK-1 receptor system: NK-1 receptor antagonists as anti-cancer drugs. Journal of Biosciences. 2015 June; 40(2): 441-463.