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Aquaporins in cancer
Domenico Ribatti1, Girolamo Ranieri2, Tiziana Annese3
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II," Bari, Italy.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|September 26, 2013
Summary
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins implicated in tumor progression. Inhibiting AQPs in tumor and endothelial cells may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins facilitating water transport.
- They play roles in fluid balance, cell migration, and are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of aquaporins in tumor development.
- To explore their involvement in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating aquaporin expression and function in cancer.
- Analysis of the correlation between aquaporin levels and tumor characteristics.
Main Results:
- Tumor cells express various aquaporins.
- AQP expression correlates positively with histological tumor grade.
- AQPs contribute to tumor edema and angiogenesis in diverse cancers.
Conclusions:
- Aquaporins are key players in tumor biology, influencing growth and metastasis.
- Targeting aquaporins in tumor and endothelial cells presents a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer.
- This review is part of a special issue on Aquaporins.
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