Exploring the Role of Preptin, Adropin, and Apelin in the Development of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, and despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, it continues to pose a major clinical challenge.Emerging evidence points to novel bioactive peptides such as preptin, adropin, and apelin as key players in tumor biology.Objective: This review aims to explore the roles of preptin, adropin, and apelin in breast cancer development, highlighting their mechanisms of action and potential diagnostic or therapeutic relevance.Materials and methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, MedlinePlus, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.Studies published between 1998 and 2024, in English, focusing on the association between the selected peptides and breast cancer, were included.Key findings: Most studies report elevated levels of preptin and apelin in the serum or tissues of breast cancer patients.Adropin results are mixed, with some studies showing upregulation and others showing downregulation.All three peptides appear to influence breast cancer progression via PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and AMPK signaling pathways.Conclusion: Preptin, adropin, and apelin exhibit potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in breast cancer.However, findings remain preliminary and require validation through large-scale, longitudinal, and population-specific studies.