NK-1 Receptor Antagonists: A New Generation of Anticancer Drugs

M.      Munoz; R.      Covenas

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.

Keywords: Substance P, neoangiogenesis, metastasis, tumor cells, apoptosis, preprotachykinin A, in situ, malignant melanomas, gastric motility, SP-immunoreactivity, NK-1 receptors