Preventive effects of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in breast cancer pathogenesis

Abstract

Aim: Modifications of oxytocin (OT) concentration and OT receptor (OXTR) expression level have different effects on breast cancer-derived cells. This study was conducted to evaluate OT variation in breast cancer patients and to evaluate OXTR expression changes in breast cancer tissues. Methods: The plasma concentrations of OT in both breast cancer patients and healthy individuals’ samples were assessed. OXTR variations were then assessed in both cancerous and noncancerous breast tissues. Results: OT had an increase in breast cancer patients and expression of OXTR in contralateral breast was more than cancerous tissues. Conclusion: Despite the high levels of OT concentration in breast cancer patients, it seems that a lower expression of OXTR in cancerous tissues can be effective in the breast cancer progression.