Therapeutic targeting of voltage-gated sodium channel Na1.7 for cancer metastasis.

This review focuses on the expression and function of voltage-gated sodium channel subtype Na1.7 in various cancers and explores its impact on the metastasis driving cell functions such as proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. An overview of its structural characteristics, drug binding sites, inhibitors and their likely mechanisms of action are presented. Despite the lack of clarity on the precise mechanism by which Na1.7 contributes to cancer progression and metastasis; many studies have suggested a connection between Na1.7 and proteins involved in multiple signaling pathways such as PKA and EGF/EGFR-ERK1/2. Moreover, the functional activity of Na1.7 appears to elevate the expression levels of MACC1 and NHE-1, which are controlled by p38 MAPK activity, HGF/c-MET signaling and c-Jun activity. This cascade potentially enhances the secretion of extracellular matrix proteases, such as MMPs which play critical roles in cell migration and invasion activities. Furthermore, the Na1.7 activity may indirectly upregulate Rho GTPases Rac activity, which is critical for cytoskeleton reorganization, cell adhesion, and actin polymerization. The relationship between Na1.7 and cancer progression has prompted researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting Na1.7 using inhibitors. The positive outcome of such studies resulted in the discovery of several inhibitors with the ability to reduce cancer cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth underscoring the significance of Na1.7 as a promising pharmacological target for attenuating cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The research findings summarized in this review suggest that the regulation of Na1.7 expression and function by small molecules and/or by genetic engineering is a viable approach to discover novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of metastasis of cancers with elevated Na1.7 expression.