Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells
06:19

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells

Published on: June 16, 2023

Sigma receptors and cancer: possible involvement of ion channels

Ebru Aydar1, Christopher P Palmer, Mustafa B A Djamgoz

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. e.aydar@imperial.ac.uk

Cancer Research
|August 4, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Sigma receptors, particularly sigma2, are upregulated in cancer cells and show antiproliferative effects. Sigma drugs may offer novel cancer therapies by modulating cellular functions and ion channels.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sigma receptors (sigma) are implicated in diverse cellular functions and diseases.
  • Their specific roles in cancer cell biology are under investigation.
  • Sigma receptors are frequently upregulated in human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of sigma receptors in cancer.
  • To explore the potential of sigma receptor drugs as anticancer agents.

Main Methods:

  • Proposed a molecular model for the sigma1 receptor.
  • Observed sigma receptor upregulation in cancer cells and tissues.
  • Investigated antiproliferative effects of sigma2 receptor drugs.

Main Results:

  • Sigma2 receptor drugs exhibit significant antiproliferative effects.
  • Sigma receptors may influence cancer metastasis (adhesion, motility, secretion).
  • Potential mechanisms involve ion channel modulation, ankyrin interaction, and altered intracellular Ca(2+) and sphingolipid levels.

Conclusions:

  • Sigma receptors are involved in cancer cell pathophysiology.
  • Sigma drugs, especially targeting sigma2, show promise as novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

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