Eag1 as a cancer target.
BACKGROUND
Ion channels are drug targets for many diseases but have only recently started to be regarded as potential primary cancer targets. Many types of ion channels have been identified that could be useful in cancer management.


OBJECTIVE
We focus on a voltage-gated potassium channel, ether à go-go 1 (Eag)1, which shows distinctive features such as a restricted expression pattern and peculiar electrophysiological properties.


METHODS
We review the literature on this channel and try to relate this knowledge to the context of other ion channels in cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Eag1 appears to be a promising cancer target, both as a tumor marker because of restricted expression, which could be useful in the context of therapeutic decisions, and as a therapeutic-agent-targeting molecule.
Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Hermann-Rein-Str 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. pardo@em.mpg.de
Luis A
LA
Pardo
Walter
W
Sühmer
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004594:Electrophysiology; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels