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Potassium Channels as a Target for Cancer Therapy: Current Perspectives

2022; Dove Medical Press; Volume: Volume 15; Linguagem: Inglês

10.2147/ott.s326614

1178-6930

Leandro Zúñiga, Ángel Cayo, Wendy González, Cristián Vilos, Rafael Zúñiga,

Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Abstract: Potassium (K + ) channels are highly regulated membrane proteins that control the potassium ion flux and respond to different cellular stimuli. These ion channels are grouped into three major families, Kv (voltage-gated K + channel), Kir (inwardly rectifying K + channel) and K2P (two-pore K + channels), according to the structure, to mediate the K + currents. In cancer, alterations in K + channel function can promote the acquisition of the so-called hallmarks of cancer – cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, metabolic changes, angiogenesis, and migratory capabilities – emerging as targets for the development of new therapeutic drugs. In this review, we focus our attention on the different K + channels associated with the most relevant and prevalent cancer types. We summarize our knowledge about the potassium channels structure and function, their cancer dysregulated expression and discuss the K + channels modulator and the strategies for designing new drugs. Keywords: K + channels, potassium channel blockers, K + channels expression, cancer