μ‐opioid receptor agonist facilitates circulating tumor cell formation in bladder cancer via the MOR/AKT/Slug pathway: a comprehensive study including randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: μ-opioid receptor agonists (MORAs) are indispensable for analgesia in bladder cancer (BC) patients, both during surgery and for chronic pain treatment. Whether MORAs affect BC progression and metastasis remains largely unknown. This study focused on the effects of MORAs on the formation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in BC and aimed to provide potential therapeutic targets, which would retain the pain-relieving effects of MORAs in BC patients without sacrificing their long-term prognosis.Methods: Different preclinical models were used to identify the effects of MORAs on the progression of BC. A novel immunocapture microfluidic chip

Pan-Cancer Analysis and Validation of Opioid-Related Receptors Reveals the Immunotherapeutic Value of Toll-Like Receptor 4

“…The expressions of classical opioid receptors were predominantly low in tumor tissues. This appears to be in contrast with the findings of several previous studies on the OPRM1 gene [34][35][36] known to regulate tumor development and immune response, but there are reasons for this inconsistency. The OPRM1 gene expression is dependent on immune cell activation, as OPRM1 expression in T cells is non-constitutive, and this may account for the discrepancy.…”

The Bladder Tumor Microenvironment Components That Modulate the Tumor and Impact Therapy

“…The trauma associated with surgery can induce stress via the hypothalamic pituitary axis and the sympathetic nervous system, causing the release of catecholamines, glucocorticoids, prostaglandins, and endogenous opioids, all of which promote immunosuppression and enable the cancer cells to survive. For example, µ opioid receptor agonists used to reduce pain during and post-surgery have been shown to increase circulating tumor cells in mice [137].…”