Regulation of cancer cell migration by voltage-gated sodium channels

这项研究计划的目标是寻找转移性乳腺癌的潜在新靶点。转移是癌细胞从原发肿瘤部位扩散到继发部位的过程。转移具有重要的临床意义，因为它是乳腺癌死亡的主要原因。研究的对象是电压门控钠通道（VGSC）。VGSC存在于神经系统和肌肉中的细胞上。靶向VGSC的药物用于治疗癫痫、异常心跳和疼痛等疾病。VGSC调节发育中的神经系统中神经元的迁移。VGSC也存在于转移性乳腺癌细胞中，并调节与转移相关的细胞行为，包括粘附和迁移。该研究项目将在约克大学进行，将研究人类乳腺癌细胞、小鼠和活检样本中的VGSC。我们将检验VGSC通过类似于迁移神经元的机制控制乳腺癌细胞转移的假设。基于这项工作，VGSCs可能成为乳腺癌诊断的新靶点。此外，VGSC靶向药物可有效用于乳腺癌的治疗干预，以减少和/或减缓转移。

The goal of this research proposal is to characterise a potentially new target in metastatic breast cancer. Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary tumour site to secondary sites. Metastasis is of major clinical importance, since it is the main cause of breast cancer mortality. The target of study is the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC). VGSCs are found on cells in the nervous system and muscle. Drugs that target VGSCs are used to treat diseases such as epilepsy, abnormal heartbeat and pain. VGSCs regulate the migration of neurones in the developing nervous system. VGSCs also occur in metastatic breast cancer cells and regulate cell behaviours associated with metastasis, including adhesion and migration. The research project, to be carried out at the University of York, will study VGSCs in human breast cancer cells, mice and biopsy samples. We will test the hypothesis that VGSCs control metastasis in breast cancer cells by a mechanism similar to that in migrating neurones. Based on this work, it is possible that VGSCs may be a useful new diagnostic target in breast cancer. In addition, VGSC-targeting drugs may be effective for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer, to reduce and/or slow metastasis.