title: Methionine enkephalin, its role in immunoregulation and cancer therapy.
abstract: Methionine enkephalin (MENK), an endogenous neuropeptide has a crucial role in both neuroendocrine and immune systems. MENK is believed to have an immunoregulatory activity to have cancer biotherapy activity by binding to the opioid receptors on immune and cancer cells. Clinical trial studies in cancer patients have shown that MENK activates immune cells directly and by inhibiting regulatory T-cells (Tregs). MENK may also change the tumor microenvironment by binding to opioid receptor on or in cancer cells. All of these mechanisms of action have biologic significance and potential for use in cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, they reveal a relationship between the endocrine and immune systems. Due to the apparent role of MENK in cancer therapy we reviewed herein, the research undertaken with MENK in recent years; which has advanced our understanding of the role MENK has in cancer progression and its relationship to immunity, supporting MENK as a new strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China.
authors.forename: Dingliang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Immune Therapeutics. Inc., 37 North Orange Ave., Suite 607, Orlando, FL 32801, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Plotnikoff
authors.affiliation: Immune Therapeutics. Inc., 37 North Orange Ave., Suite 607, Orlando, FL 32801, USA.
authors.forename: Noreen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Number 155, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China.
authors.forename: Fengping
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; C033593:methionine-enkephalin receptor; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine
keywords: Cancer therapy; Immunoregulation; MENK; MENKr; Methionine enkephalin; NK cells; Treg cells