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Orexins/Hypocretins and Cancer: A Neuropeptide as Emerging Target

Couvineau Alain1, Nicole Pascal1, Gratio Valérie1

  • 1INSERM UMR1149/Inflammation Research Center (CRI), Team "From Inflammation to Cancer in Digestive Diseases" Labeled by "la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer", University of Paris, DHU UNITY, 75018 Paris, France.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Orexin neuropeptides and their receptors are crucial for wakefulness and other bodily functions. This system shows promise as a therapeutic target for various cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Orexin neuropeptides (Orexin-A/hypocretin-1 and Orexin-B/hypocretin-2) and their receptors (OX1R and OX2R) are key regulators of wakefulness, appetite, and homeostasis.
  • Dysregulation of the orexin system is implicated in narcolepsy, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
  • Orexin receptors, particularly OX1R, are expressed in various cancer types, including colon, pancreas, and prostate cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the intricate relationship between the orexin system and cancer.
  • To explore the potential of the orexin/OX1R system as a therapeutic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the orexin system and its role in cancer biology.
  • Analysis of research on OX1R expression and function in tumor cells.

Main Results:

  • The orexin/OX1R system plays a significant role in regulating physiological processes.
  • OX1R expression in cancer cells suggests a potential role in tumor progression.
  • OX1R exhibits proapoptotic activity in tumor cells, indicating therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • The orexin/OX1R system represents a promising and emerging target for cancer therapy.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the therapeutic applications of targeting this system in oncology.
Keywords:
GPCRapoptosiscancergastroenterologyneuropeptideorexins

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