OXTR oxytocin receptor
ENSG00000180914 · protein coding · Open Targets profile
G protein-coupled receptor for oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland that plays a key role in social behavior and other biological processes, such as milk ejection (PubMed:11923477, PubMed:22069312, PubMed:32832646, PubMed:35104164, PubMed:35241813, PubMed:35851571). Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of downstream effectors, such as phospholipase C (PubMed:22069312, PubMed:32832646, PubMed:35104164, PubMed:35241813, PubMed:35851571). OXTR is mainly coupled to G(q) G proteins and mediates production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) second messengers that modulate the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and promote the release of Ca(2+) ions from intracellular stores, respectively (PubMed:11923477, PubMed:22069312, PubMed:32832646, PubMed:35104164, PubMed:35241813, PubMed:35851571). In presence of high levels of oxytocin, also coupled to G(i) G proteins, mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity (PubMed:22069312, PubMed:35241813, PubMed:35851571). Central release of oxytocin plays essential roles in social behavior, such as maternal care, social cognition and affiliative behaviors, triggering signaling that modulates neural circuits by altering ion channel activity, changing intrinsic neuronal properties and modifying synaptic transmission (both excitatory and inhibitory) (PubMed:19934046, PubMed:20647384, PubMed:21896752, PubMed:22123970, PubMed:24367110). Peripheral release of oxytocin (secretion into the bloodstream) promotes various processes, such as parturition, lactation or osteoblast differentiation (PubMed:6278592). OXTR-mediated signaling promotes milk ejection by triggering and strengthening contraction of the smooth muscle of mammary gland (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P97926, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11923477, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19934046, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20647384, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21896752, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22069312, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22123970, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24367110, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32832646, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35104164, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35241813, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35851571, ECO:0000269|PubMed:6278592}.
Each band is a group of drugs. It runs from the kind of drug on the left to the furthest stage that drug has reached in any disease on the right. Thicker bands mean more drugs.
Approved bands are highlighted. Withdrawn means the drug was pulled from the market or from development. A combined phase counts as the later one (Phase 1/2 is shown as Phase 2). Hover a band for the drug names. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.
Each row is a cancer, strongest overall evidence first. The two dots show how strong the inherited (germline) and tumour-mutation (somatic) evidence is; the line between them is the gap.
Scores run from 0 (no evidence) to 1 (strongest). A missing dot at 0 means Open Targets holds no evidence of that kind. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.
Tractability
- Small molecule
- Advanced Clinical, Structure with Ligand, High-Quality Ligand, Druggable Family
- Antibody
- GO CC high conf, UniProt loc med conf, UniProt SigP or TMHMM
- PROTAC
- Database Ubiquitination, Small Molecule Binder
- Other modalities
- Approved Drug
gnomAD loss of function constraint: o/e 0.7960100173950195 (upper bound 1.1679999828338623). Low values mean loss of function is poorly tolerated, a safety flag for inhibition.
Who runs trials of these drugs
Principal investigators and study chairs on 287 registry trials, updated in the last three years, of the most advanced drugs against OXTR (atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767), ranked by Phase 2+ trials. Live from ClinicalTrials.gov.
- James C EisenachWake Forest University Health Sciences · 9 of 10 trials Phase 2+
- Elizabeth A LawsonMassachusetts General Hospital · 3 of 7 trials Phase 2+
- Mirjam Christ-CrainUniversity Hospital of Basel · 3 of 7 trials Phase 2+
- Anna AulinasIR-Sant Pau · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Evdokia AnagnostouHolland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Helena RutherfordYale University · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Maithé TAUBERUniversity Hospital, Toulouse · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Moeun SonWeill Medical College of Cornell University · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Naida M ColeUniversity of Chicago · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Soonjo HwangUniversity of Nebraska · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Tiffany E AngeloStony Brook University Hospital Department of Anesthesiology · 2 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Gagan JoshiMassachusetts General Hospital · 1 of 2 trials Phase 2+
- Ahmed N AfifiKafrelsheikh University · 1 of 1 trials Phase 2+
- Ahmed N ShakerKafrelsheikh University · 1 of 1 trials Phase 2+
- Alexandra BENACHIAntoine Béclère Hospital, APHP · 1 of 1 trials Phase 2+
Registry trials of atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767 updated in the last three years, counted by the country group of their listed sites. A trial with sites in several groups counts in each; 255 of 263 have all sites in one country.
Site counts are not patients per country, and trials registered only outside ClinicalTrials.gov are not covered. Where sites are is a fact about the record, not a judgement of its quality. Europe is the EU and EEA, the UK and Switzerland. 24 trials list no sites and are left out. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, fetched live.
93 trials of drugs against OXTR were stopped early; 9 give no reason
Terminated, withdrawn and suspended interventional trials of atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767, newest update first, live from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each reason is quoted exactly as the registry gives it; we do not sort reasons into safety, efficacy or business. Dates are the last registry update. Showing the 25 most recent of 93.
- withdrawn · 2026-11-06 · Florida State University · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“PI (Morgan Robison) left to complete clinical internship”
- withdrawn · 2026-11-06 · Florida State University · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“PI (Morgan Robison) left to complete clinical internship”
- withdrawn · 2026-10-26 · University of Roma La Sapienza · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“The ethics committee required insurance coverage for randomisation, which could not be obtained from any insurer. The study was therefore not started as an RCT and was converted to an observational study with device selected by the clinician.”
- terminated · 2026-10-15 · University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand · Oxytocin“futility”
- terminated · 2026-10-13 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Oxytocin“This study was initiated for preliminary data to support NIH grant submission. The study was maintained active in anticipation of returning to the protocol. Due to funding and current NIH grant work this study could not be completed.”
- terminated · 2026-09-04 · Aalto University · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“The study was terminated prematurely because the funder discontinued financial support for the study. The decision was not based on safety concerns or study results.”
- terminated · 2026-08-17 · ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Carbetocin“Primary efficacy endpoint was not met in the parent study (ACP-101-302). Based on review of available data, continued administration of investigational product in ACP-101-303 was not considered likely to provide significant clinical benefit.”
- suspended · 2026-07-02 · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · 40 IU Intranasal Oxytocin, 24 IU intranasal Oxytocin“Study was halted during COVID pandemic. However, PI is currently reconnecting with a compounding pharmacy to re-establish supply of the oxytocin and updating cost estimates. We are hoping to resume the pilot work with oxytocin once it is clarified.”
- terminated · 2026-03-27 · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“reason of halt prematurely: futility of the trial”
- terminated · 2026-01-26 · Baylor Research Institute · matched by the registry's drug synonyms“Difficulty in acquiring patients in a reasonable amount of time.”
- terminated · 2026-01-20 · VA Office of Research and Development · Oxytocin“Inadequate Subject Recruitment”
- terminated · 2025-09-11 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Oxytocin“Data from the initial participants were analyzed to support an NIH grant submission, leading to NIH funding of a new protocol to expand on the initial results.”
- terminated · 2025-08-28 · Baylor College of Medicine · Oxytocin“Study team has decided to close the trial (NCT05405257) due problems with patient recruitment and enrollment efforts. To date, only one patient completed both arms.”
- withdrawn · 2025-08-12 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Oxytocin“Study was not initiated; no subjects enrolled. A replacement study will be submitted”
- terminated · 2025-05-07 · Karolinska Institutet · Oxytocin nasal spray“Halted due to recruitment problems.”
- terminated · 2025-03-26 · Lane Strathearn, MBBS PhD · Oxytocin“Unable to recruit proposed study sample size due to COVID restrictions.”
- terminated · 2025-03-14 · University of Nebraska · Oxytocin Intranasal Spray 8 International Unit (8IU), Oxytocin intranasal spray 24 International Unit (24IU), Oxytocin intranasal spray 48 International Unit (48IU), Oxytocin intranasal spray 80 International Unit (80IU)“Per DSMB's recommendation”
- terminated · 2025-03-04 · Indiana University · Intranasal oxytocin“Due to complications delaying the availability of the intranasal oxytocin and IV alcohol solutions needed for this project, we were unable to complete subjects in the self-administration arm of this study.”
- withdrawn · 2024-12-10 · University of Chicago · Oxytocin“Study will be restarted at a later date”
- withdrawn · 2024-10-26 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Oxytocin“Study was never initiated and has been withdrawn and replaced with a new protocol.”
- withdrawn · 2024-09-19 · Wake Forest University Health Sciences · Oxytocin“Study was not initiated. No subjects enrolled.”
- terminated · 2024-08-28 · University Hospital, Limoges · Oxytocine“Not enough patients”
- terminated · 2024-08-27 · Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital · OxytocinNo reason given
- terminated · 2024-06-14 · University of Southern California · Oxytocin“Study completed early due to COVID-19 pandemic regulations.”
- terminated · 2024-05-29 · Northwestern University · Routine oxytocin, Half-dose oxytocin“The study was terminated due to low enrollment due to competing studies and the PI has now left Northwestern.”
Paediatric incentives and obligations for OXTR's drugs
For atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767: what EMA and FDA publish about paediatric plans, orphan status and pediatric approvals, and how many registered studies take children. Each line is a yes, no or not published fact from the record linked under it; none of it is a forecast.
- FDA pediatric target list: no · OXTR is not on the listRule: Target is on FDA's Pediatric Molecular Target List (relevant targets). Source: FDA Pediatric Molecular Target List (Listed as February 2026 on the FDA Pediatric Oncology page; the file served is 9.7.22_the_relevant_molecular_target_list.xlsx, whose Summary of Changes sheet is headed 'SEPTEMBER 2022 UPDATE' (footnote date 2022-09-01)), 2026-11-11
- EU paediatric investigation plan: yes · EMEA-003148-PIP01-21 (Oxytocin, Treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome): P: decision agreeing on a investigation plan, with or without partial waiver(s) and or deferral(s), 11 Aug 2022; EMEA-001359-PIP01-12-M03 (retosiban, Treatment of spontaneous preterm labour): PM: decision on the application for modification of an agreed PIP, 15 Jun 2016Rule: An EMA PIP decision (agreement, modification or waiver) lists the drug as its active substance, exact name. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
- EU orphan designation: yes · EU/3/12/975 withdrawn 21 Mar 2012: Treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome; EU/3/14/1302 positive 29 Jul 2014: Treatment of Prader-Willi syndromeRule: An EU orphan designation lists the drug as its active substance (exact name) or belongs to a medicine that does; withdrawn and expired designations are listed with their status. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
- Authorised in the EU: yes · Atosiban SUN: authorised since 31 Jul 2013; Tractocile: authorised since 20 Jan 2000Rule: An EMA medicine record lists the drug as its active substance or INN, exact name; national-only authorisations are not in this file. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
- FDA orphan designation: not published · FDA's orphan designation database turns away automated requests, so this app does not read it; search it by hand at the linkRule: Would be: an FDA orphan designation names the drug. Source: FDA orphan designations search
- FDA pediatric oncology approval: no · FDA's table lists no pediatric approval of atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767Rule: FDA's Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals table names the drug. Source: FDA Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals (content current as of 2026-03-03), 2026-11-12
- Registered studies open to children: yes · 196 interventional studies of atosiban, carbetocin, oxytocin, retosiban, nolasiban, barusiban, epelsiban, fe 202767 include patients under 18; 19 are recruiting, not yet recruiting or activeRule: The registry's age group includes Child (birth to 17 years), which also counts studies that set no minimum age. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov search, 2026-11-12
Rare pediatric disease voucher. FDA, content current as of 29 Apr 2026: “As of February 3, 2026, enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the rare pediatric disease PRV program will sunset after September 30, 2029. FDA may not award any PRVs under this program after September 30, 2029.” Voucher sale prices are not shown here; they appear only as company-reported news. FDA: Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Priority Review Voucher Programs
All 8 drugs and clinical candidates as a table
Each drug, stage and indication links to its Open Targets record, where the trials and approvals behind it are listed. Salt forms (for example a mesylate) are listed as Open Targets records them, as separate entries.
| Drug | Type | Highest stage | Indications | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATOSIBAN | Protein | phase 4 | premature birth, Pain, endometriosis, autism spectrum disorder, myelomeningocele | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| CARBETOCIN | Protein | phase 4 | postpartum hemorrhage, Prader-Willi syndrome, Polyphagia, anxiety, uterine corpus leiomyoma, Uterine Inertia, Pain, cesarean section | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| OXYTOCIN | Protein | phase 4 | autism spectrum disorder, hemorrhage, Uterine Inertia, postpartum hemorrhage, Neonatal sepsis, dystocia, Premature rupture of membranes, alcohol withdrawal, +78 more | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| RETOSIBAN | Small molecule | phase 3 | Neurodevelopmental delay | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| NOLASIBAN | Small molecule | phase 3 | pregnancy, infertility disorder | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| BARUSIBAN | Protein | phase 2 | – | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| EPELSIBAN | Small molecule | phase 2 | premature ejaculation, adenomyosis | Open Targets · ChEMBL |
| FE 202767 | Unknown | phase 2 | erectile dysfunction | Open Targets · ChEMBL |