RT Journal Article T1 Substance P and Neurokinin 1 Receptor in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Review of the Literature. A1 Esteban, Francisco A1 Ramos-Garcia, Pablo A1 Muñoz, Miguel A1 Gonzalez-Moles, Miguel Angel K1 NK1R K1 chronic inflammation K1 head and neck cancer K1 squamous cell carcinoma K1 substance P AB Head and neck cancer is a growing worldwide public health problem, accounting for approximately 1,500,000 new cases and 500,000 deaths annually. Substance P (SP) is a peptide of the tachykinin family, which has roles related to a large number of physiological mechanisms in humans. The implications of SP in carcinogenesis have recently been reported through the stimulation of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), or directly, through the effects derived from the constitutive activation of NK1R. Consequently, SP/NK1R seems to play relevant roles in cancer, upregulating cell proliferation, cell migration and chronic inflammation, among other oncogenic actions. Furthermore, there is growing evidence pointing to a central role for SP in tumour progression, singularly so in laryngeal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. The current narrative review of the literature focuses on the relationship between the SP/NK1R system and chronic inflammation and cancer in the head-and-neck region. We described a role for SP/NK1R in the transition from chronic inflammation of the head and neck mucosa, to preneoplastic and neoplastic transformation and progression. PB MDPI AG YR 2021 FD 2021-12-27 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/21013 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/21013 LA en NO Esteban F, Ramos-García P, Muñoz M, González-Moles MÁ. Substance P and Neurokinin 1 Receptor in Chronic Inflammation and Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 30;19(1):375. DS RISalud RD Apr 5, 2025