Ghrelin Receptors Found in Breast Cancer, May Inhibit Tumor Growth
Identification, characterization, and biological activity of specific receptors for natural (ghrelin) and synthetic growth hormone secretagogues and analogs in human breast carcinomas and cell lines.
Background
Globally, breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, necessitating the continuous search for novel therapeutic targets. Ghrelin, often known as the 'hunger hormone,' primarily regulates appetite, energy balance, and growth hormone release through its specific receptor, the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor 1a (GHS-R1a). While ghrelin's metabolic roles are well-established, its involvement in cancer biology, particularly in breast cancer, has been less understood. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding the specific presence, characterization, and functional activity of ghrelin receptors in human breast carcinoma tissues and cell lines.