Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
06:19

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches

Published on: June 16, 2023

3.4K

TRP Channels as Molecular Targets to Relieve Cancer Pain

Milena Duitama1, Yurany Moreno2, Sandra Paola Santander3

  • 1Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia.

Biomolecules
|January 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in cancer pain are modulated by the tumor microenvironment. Plant-derived compounds targeting these channels offer potential relief for cancer-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are key in pain signal transmission.
  • Cancer's microenvironment releases substances that alter TRP channel activity.
  • This modulation contributes to heightened pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia, allodynia) in cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in cancer pain.
  • To discuss molecules that modulate these TRP channels.
  • To focus on mechanisms of channel activation by tumor microenvironment factors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TRP channel function in cancer pain.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in TRP channel modulation.
  • Examination of plant-derived compounds targeting TRP channels.

Main Results:

  • TRP channel activity is significantly altered in the cancer microenvironment.
  • Specific molecules released by tumors activate or inhibit TRP channels.
  • Plant-derived secondary metabolites show potential for TRP channel modulation.

Conclusions:

  • TRP channels, particularly TRPV1 and TRPA1, are crucial in cancer pain.
  • Targeting TRP channels with plant compounds may alleviate cancer pain.
  • Understanding tumor microenvironment interactions with TRP channels is key for novel therapies.
Keywords:
TRP channelscancerpain

More Related Videos

Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 109:39

Establishing a Mouse Model of a Pure Small Fiber Neuropathy with the Ultrapotent Agonist of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1

Published on: February 13, 2018

9.7K
Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV412:09

Yeast Luminometric and Xenopus Oocyte Electrophysiological Examinations of the Molecular Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4

Published on: December 31, 2013

10.2K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.9K
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates...
284
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
3.1K
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
7.8K
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
902
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
6.9K