title: Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers can augment the efficacy of chemotherapeutics by their inhibitory effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
abstract: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process during which cancer cells become more invasive and chemo resistant. EMT may also be associated with tumor dormancy which prevents the cure of cancer with adjuvant treatment. Chemo resistance and dormancy may also decrease response to cytotoxic agents during treatment of metastatic disease. Voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are overexpressed in many cancer types, particularly in those with more aggressive and metastatic potential. VGSCs are thought to be associated with increased invasive and migratory capacity of cancer cells. Inhibition of VGSCs may inhibit EMT and angiogenesis through interaction with intracellular calcium activity and endothelial cells respectively. Blockage of these channels combined with other anticancer therapies may be effective in both adjuvant and palliative setting. Colonization at secondary site may be decelerated by VGSCs inhibition through impeding angiogenesis. This may lead to a temporary palliation of symptoms related to tumor burden in patients with metastatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Section, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Orhan Onder
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: akifozturk@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet Akif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Section, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem Uysal
authors.initials: OU
authors.lastname: Sonmez
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Section, Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Basak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oyan
mesh_terms: D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061567:Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D061567:Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers