NPY receptors 1 and 2 overexpressed in breast and prostate cancer could enable targeted drug delivery and diagnostics
Comprehensive review maps NPY receptor subtype expression across cancers, finding breast cancer has significant tumor-normal differences, with NPY analog modifications (stapling, conjugation) improving stability for targeted cancer therapy and diagnostics.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
NPY R1 and R2: overexpressed in multiple cancers. Breast cancer: significant tumor-normal difference (most promising target). Key NPY binding residues identified. Stability solutions: sequence mods, stapling, conjugation. Best use: combinatorial with chemotherapy for targeted delivery.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Comprehensive narrative review of NPY receptor expression in cancers, NPY analog structure-activity, and therapeutic strategies.
Why This Research Matters
Cancer drug delivery remains a major challenge. NPY receptors on tumor cells could serve as "addresses" for targeted drug delivery, reducing side effects while increasing tumor drug concentrations.
The Bigger Picture
NPY receptor-targeted drug delivery joins a growing arsenal of peptide-guided cancer therapy approaches. The detailed receptor mapping and analog design guidelines provide a roadmap for clinical development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Review format. Most NPY targeting data is preclinical. Breast cancer is most promising but clinical trials are lacking. NPY analog stability in vivo remains challenging.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could NPY-targeted antibody-drug conjugates compete with existing cancer therapies?
- ?Would NPY receptor PET imaging improve cancer staging?
- ?Is Y1 or Y2 the better therapeutic target?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Breast cancer: best NPY target Among all cancers, breast tissue shows the most significant NPY receptor overexpression difference between tumor and normal—enabling selective targeting with NPY analogs
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive review mapping the field. Preclinical evidence with drug design guidelines.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Neuropeptide Y receptors 1 and 2 as molecular targets in prostate and breast cancer therapy.
- Published In:
- Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 187, 118117 (2025)
- Authors:
- Tomić, Katarina, Kostevšek, Nina, Romeo, Sergio, Bassanini, Ivan
- Database ID:
- RPEP-13819
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can NPY be used to target cancer?
Yes—NPY receptors are overexpressed on many cancer cells, especially breast and prostate cancer. By attaching cancer drugs to NPY analogs (modified versions of the peptide), drugs can be delivered specifically to tumors while sparing normal tissue. Breast cancer shows the most promising target profile.
How is NPY made stable enough for drug use?
Natural NPY breaks down quickly in the body. This review describes solutions: modifying the peptide sequence to resist enzymes, "stapling" the peptide to lock its shape, and conjugating it to drug delivery systems. These approaches improve stability while maintaining cancer cell targeting ability.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-13819APA
Tomić, Katarina; Kostevšek, Nina; Romeo, Sergio; Bassanini, Ivan. (2025). Neuropeptide Y receptors 1 and 2 as molecular targets in prostate and breast cancer therapy.. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 187, 118117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118117
MLA
Tomić, Katarina, et al. "Neuropeptide Y receptors 1 and 2 as molecular targets in prostate and breast cancer therapy.." Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118117
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Neuropeptide Y receptors 1 and 2 as molecular targets in pro..." RPEP-13819. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/tomic-2025-neuropeptide-y-receptors-1
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.