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.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION: 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.