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Neurokinin receptor (NKR) antagonists are already widely used to treat menopausal hot flashes, providing an effective nonhormone treatment.

A new study suggests they may also help breast cancer patients by limiting the spread of cancer cells and helping to prevent cancer recurrence. Results of the study will be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in San Diego Oct. 20–24, 2026.

During menopause, declining estrogen levels disrupt the brain's thermostat, located in the hypothalamus. This estrogen drop causes a specific group of brain cells, known as KNDy neurons, to become hyperactive and overproduce a peptide called neurokinin B (NKB).

Overactive NKB signaling tricks the body into feeling overheated, triggering sudden sweating and flushing. Neurokinin receptor antagonists work by blocking these receptors, calming the overstimulated pathway and stabilizing body temperature regulation without using hormones.

Researchers recently asked where, other than the hypothalamus, NKB receptors are expressed. This question led to an exploration of a possible role for NKB receptor signaling in the breast and whether NKR antagonists may also have a role in modulating breast cancer risk.

What they discovered through in silico analyses is that downregulation of NKR signaling (as occurs with the use of NKR antagonists) suppresses molecular pathways that promote invasiveness and metastatic spread. These data suggest that NKR antagonists may have the potential to modify breast cancer cell behavior to reduce invasiveness and spread.

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