The Potassium Channels are an Important Target in Cancer Therapy

Potassium (K + ) channels play a key role in the functioning of human physiological processes.Potassium channels are transmembrane proteins that are frequently aberrantly expressed in tumors and are directly involved in tumor progression.Various molecular mechanisms implicate the irregular functioning of potassium (K + ) channels in the formation of cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.Recent studies continue to accumulate evidence of successful testing of K + channel-targeting agents in animal tumors.These data demonstrate that interfering potassium channels in combination with existing treatments may significantly improve cancer treatment.Thus, the potassium channels represent an underexplored avenue for cancer therapy and it was developed a diversity of drugs for anti-cancer effects by modulating potassium channels in tumor cells.In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the role of potassium channels in cancer cell formation and their potential targets in tumorigenesis therapy.