Title:NK-1 Receptor Antagonists: A New Generation of Anticancer Drugs
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
Author(s): M. Munoz and R. Covenas
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Substance P, neoangiogenesis, metastasis, tumor cells, apoptosis, preprotachykinin A, in situ, malignant melanomas, gastric motility, SP-immunoreactivity, NK-1 receptors
Abstract: After binding to the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor, substance P (SP) induces tumor cell proliferation,
angiogenesis, and the migration of tumor cells for invasion and metastasis. After binding to NK-1 receptors, NK-1
receptor antagonists inhibit tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis and the migration of tumor cells. These antagonists are
broad-spectrum antitumor drugs. In addition, in the host they display beneficial effects: anxiolytic, antiemetic,
neuroprotector, nephroprotector, hepatoprotector, antiinflammatory and analgesic. In combination therapy with classic
cytostatics, NK-1 receptor antagonists have synergic effects and minimize the side-effects of these classic drugs. Thus,
NK-1 receptor antagonists could offer a new and promising generation of anticancer drugs.