INHIBITION OF INWARD SODIUM CURRENTS IN CANCER

摘要

Described is a constitutive inward Na+ currents found in a variety of human cancers. The constitutive inward Na+ current plays a role in increased cellular proliferation, cellular migration and volume regulation. The inward current is mediated, at least in part, by AISC-~ containing Na+ channels. In addition, an inhibitor of the inward current, the PcTX1 peptide, is describe d. Also provided are methods for screening compounds to inhibit the inward Na+ current, methods for screening for tumors expressing the inward Na+ current and methods for treating tumors expressing the inward Na+ current.