Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism as a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment; enhancing anti-tumor efficacy while mitigating treatment-related toxicities

The Substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor (SP/NK1R) pathway plays a significant role in several cancers, including pancreatic, breast, glioblastoma, and lung malignancies. This review highlights its involvement in metastasis, angiogenesis, proliferation, resistance, and apoptosis. Aprepitant, an NK1R antagonist and approved antiemetic, shows promising anticancer and protective effects, supporting its use in combination therapies. NK1R-targeted strategies may enhance treatment efficacy while reducing chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced toxicities.