Involvement of the Substance P/Neurokinin-1 Receptor System in Cancer

Abstract

New, promising molecular targets to block tumor development and new compounds capable of specifically destroying cancer cells must be urgently investigated [...]

Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists as a Potential Novel Therapeutic Option for Osteosarcoma Patients

“…It has been reported that the combination of chemotherapy and aprepitant protects various organs and counteracts the severe side-effects of chemotherapy (cardioprotection, nephroprotection, hepatoprotection, and neuroprotection) [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] and cytoprotection ([ 4 , 43 ] ( Figure 1 ). This combination therapy was also shown to induce tumor chemosensitization [ 4 , 5 , 43 ] ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…It has been reported that the combination of chemotherapy and aprepitant protects various organs and counteracts the severe side-effects of chemotherapy (cardioprotection, nephroprotection, hepatoprotection, and neuroprotection) [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] and cytoprotection ([ 4 , 43 ] ( Figure 1 ). This combination therapy was also shown to induce tumor chemosensitization [ 4 , 5 , 43 ] ( Figure 1 ). Additionally, it was reported in an in vitro study using MG63.2 osteosarcoma cells that the combination therapy of an NK-1R antagonist, L-733,060 compound, and different chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of osteosarcoma (doxorubicin, cisplatin, ifosfamide, and mitomycin) increased the anticancer activity of chemotherapy (chemosensititzation) [ 5 ] ( Figure 1 ).…”

Peptidergic Systems and Cancer: Focus on Tachykinin and Calcitonin/Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Families

“…One of these promising targets could be peptidergic systems, i.e., peptides and their receptors, which play a crucial role in cell communication. Peptidergic systems have opened up new research lines and possibilities to improve cancer diagnosis and explore new antitumor strategies [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The involvement of peptidergic systems in cancer has attracted increasing interest in the last few years.…”

“…The involvement of peptidergic systems in cancer has attracted increasing interest in the last few years. Peptides such as substance P (a full review focused on its participation in cancer was recently published [ 5 ]), neurotensin, orexin, angiotensin II, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, adrenomedullin, adrenomedullin 2 or intermedin, and amylin contribute to cancer development [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]. These peptides promote the mitogenesis/migration of tumor cells, exert an antiapoptotic action, and stimulate the growth of blood vessels and lymphangiogenesis.…”

“…However, some peptides such as neuropeptide Y, orexin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide also exert an anticancer effect [ 7 ]. Furthermore, tumor cells release peptides acting through autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine (tumor mass) mechanisms [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. While some peptides (e.g., the heptapeptide angiotensin (1-7)) exert an anticancer effect, others (e.g., galanin) promote both proliferative and antiproliferative actions on tumor cells [ 3 ].…”