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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2014; 20(9): 2321-2334
Published online Mar 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i9.2321
Involvement of substance P and the NK-1 receptor in pancreatic cancer
Miguel Muñoz, Rafael Coveñas
Miguel Muñoz, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), 41013 Seville, Spain
Rafael Coveñas, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Lab 14), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Author contributions: Muñoz M and Coveñas R contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Miguel Muñoz, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides (IBIS), Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos Av. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Seville, Spain. mmunoz@cica.es
Telephone: +34-95-5012965 Fax: +34-95-5012921
Received: October 29, 2013
Revised: December 23, 2013
Accepted: January 20, 2014
Published online: March 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The substance P (SP)/neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor system plays an important role in pancreatic cancer progression. Pancreatic cancer cells overexpress NK-1 receptors and SP promotes angiogenesis and the proliferation and the migration of pancreatic tumor cells. By contrast, NK-1 receptor antagonists, in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibit pancreatic cell proliferation (tumor cells die by apoptosis), have antiangiogenic properties in pancreatic cancer and block the migratory activity of pancreatic tumor cells. The antitumor action is mediated through the NK-1 receptor. Thus, the NK-1 receptor could be a new promising therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer and NK-1 receptor antagonists could improve pancreatic cancer treatment.