Blood pressure and risk of cancer progression - A possible connection with salt and voltage-gated sodium channel.
Although it is well known that high blood pressure promotes cancer, the underlying cause(s) is not well understood. Here, we advance the hypothesis that the extracellular sodium level could be a contributing factor. The hypothesis is based upon emerging evidence showing (i) that voltage-gated sodium channels are expressed de novo in cancer cells and tissues, and (ii) that the influx of sodium from the extracellular medium into cancer cells, mediated by the channel activity, promotes their metastatic potential. Clinical and lifestyle implications of the hypothesis are discussed.
Imperial College London, Department of Life Sciences, Neuroscience Solutions to Cancer Research Group, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Cyprus International University, Biotechnology Research Centre, Haspolat, Lefkosa, North Cyprus. Electronic address: m.djamgoz@imperial.ac.uk.
Mustafa B A
MB
Djamgoz
D001794:Blood Pressure; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D015222:Sodium Channels; D012982:Sodium, Dietary