Potassium Channels as a Target for Cancer Therapy: Current Perspectives

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.