Tachykinin receptor antagonists in clinical trials.

Tachykinins (TKs) are small peptides widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems where they act as neurotransmitters. Potent and selective TKs antagonists have been developed in the last 20 years and many efforts have been made to prove their efficacy in the treatment of various diseases. Herein the most prominent results in the clinical development are reported and discussed. For aprepitant, the only compound of this class to have been launched to date, results of clinical studies and postmarketing cost-effectiveness data for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis are discussed. The field is still well active, as currently proof-of-concept studies for indications initially missed (i.e., depression) are ongoing and new targets are under investigation.