Emerging Roles for Ion Channels in Ovarian Cancer: Pathomechanisms and Pharmacological Treatment

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Around 4% of cancer deaths in the world was associated to ovarian cancer (OC), making it the eighth most common cause of death in women. Increasing evidence suggests that ion channels play critical role in the main stages of OC process, including proliferation, migration and metastasis. The aim of this review was to provide an updated description of the current knowledge concerning ion channels’ involvement in OC, with a particular emphasis of their role in the acquired chemoresistance. Importantly, ion channels might represent new molecular targets for the development of OC treatment, exploiting the availability of the well-known ion channel-targeting drugs. ABSTRACT: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, due to late diagnosis, development of platinum resistance, and inadequate alternative therapy. It has been demonstrated that membrane ion channels play important roles in cancer processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility, and invasion. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels in the development and progression of OC, evaluating their potential in clinical management. Increased expression of voltage-gated and epithelial sodium channels has been detected in OC cells and tissues and shown to be involved in cancer proliferation and invasion. Potassium and calcium channels have been found to play a critical role in the control of cell cycle and in the resistance to apoptosis, promoting tumor growth and recurrence. Overexpression of chloride and transient receptor potential channels was found both in vitro and in vivo, supporting their contribution to OC. Furthermore, ion channels have been shown to influence the sensitivity of OC cells to neoplastic drugs, suggesting a critical role in chemotherapy resistance. The study of ion channels expression and function in OC can improve our understanding of pathophysiology and pave the way for identifying ion channels as potential targets for tumor diagnosis and treatment.