Kisspeptin system-physiology and clinical perspectives

To summarize the state of knowledge on kisspeptin, a factor that alters the migration properties of some types of cancer cell and also plays an important role in the control of the reproductive axis.

PubMed search, identifying the most recent relevant information.

This review describes the physiological aspects about the regulation of kisspeptin release and its place in the regulation of reproductive axis. Kisspeptin's role in puberty and its interaction with male and female reproductive axis are discussed along with potential clinical perspectives. Further analysis was made of the interaction of kisspeptin with centrally acting metabolic factors and on the presence of the kisspeptin system in some organs outside the reproductive tract: pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue. The kisspeptin system is a factor that alters the metastatic potential in various cancer types-malignant melanoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, etc. Additionally, kisspeptin has also been reported to induce dormancy in already disseminated tumor cells, thus suppressing metastatic colonization in multiple organs.

The kisspeptin system could in future provide additional diagnostic tests and even therapeutic targets and procedures for the management of some reproductive disorders. As a factor involved in suppression of metastasis, it may in future have significant value for prognosis and/or follow-up in various cancer types.