Published online Nov 19, 2021. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i11.1065
Peer-review started: May 30, 2021
First decision: July 14, 2021
Revised: July 21, 2021
Accepted: September 22, 2021
Article in press: September 22, 2021
Published online: November 19, 2021
Processing time: 170 Days and 4.3 Hours
Recent epidemiological and genetic studies have revealed an interconnection between schizophrenia and breast cancer. The mutual underlying pathophy
Core Tip: The frequent occurrence of breast carcinoma in female patients with schizophrenia could indicate a specific immunological perturbation in both diseases. A common denominator could be interleukin-33 (IL-33). In this review article, we aim to describe the IL-33/suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 axis as a crossroad in schizophrenia-breast cancer comorbidity. Considering that raloxifene could be tissue-specific and improve cognition and that tamoxifen resistance in breast carcinoma could be improved by strategies targeting IL-33, these selective estrogen receptor modulators could be useful in complementary treatment. These observations could guide further somatic, as well as psychiatric therapeutical protocols by incorporating what is known about immunity in schizophrenia.