Oxytocin and cancer: An emerging link

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, which is released from the posterior pituitary gland, is involved in a number of physiological processes. Understanding of its effects is gradually increasing due to new research in this area. While mostly recognized as a reproductive system hormone, oxytocin also...

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Published inWorld journal of clinical oncology Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 74 - 82
Main Authors Lerman, Ben, Harricharran, Trisheena, Ogunwobi, Olorunseun O
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 14.09.2018
Subjects
Review
Exercise
Oxytocin
Pancreas
Prostate
Cancer
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Summary:The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, which is released from the posterior pituitary gland, is involved in a number of physiological processes. Understanding of its effects is gradually increasing due to new research in this area. While mostly recognized as a reproductive system hormone, oxytocin also regulates other organ systems such as the brain and cardiovascular system. Recently, research has focused on unraveling its involvement in cancer, and emerging evidence suggests a potential role for oxytocin as a cancer biomarker. This review summarizes observations linking oxytocin and cancer, with a special emphasis on prostate cancer, where it may promote cell proliferation. Research suggests that oxytocin effects may depend on cell type, concentration of the hormone, its interactions with other hormones in the microenvironment, and the precise localization of its receptor on the cell membrane. Future research is needed to further elucidate the involvement of oxytocin in cancer, and whether it could be a clinical cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.
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Author contributions: Lerman B and Ogunwobi OO conceived of the article; Lerman B, Harricharran T and Ogunwobi OO wrote the article; Ogunwobi OO supervised all of the work.
Correspondence to: Olorunseun O Ogunwobi, MBBS, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, Belfer Research Building, Room 426, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10065, United States. ogunwobi@genectr.hunter.cuny.edu
Telephone: +1-212-8960447
ISSN:2218-4333
2218-4333
DOI:10.5306/wjco.v9.i5.74