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Updated: Aug 30, 2025

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

Published on: June 16, 2023

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Antagonizing Sec62 function in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis represents a novel therapeutic strategy for head and

Sandrina Körner1, Tillman Pick2, Florian Bochen1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.

Frontiers in Physiology
|September 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the SEC62 protein, a driver oncogene in head and neck cancers, shows promise for new therapies. Inhibiting SEC62 function may limit cancer growth and metastasis, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • The SEC62 gene is frequently amplified in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and other cancers.
  • SEC62 protein, located in the ER membrane, acts as a potential oncogene, with high expression linked to poor prognosis and increased metastasis.
  • Intracellular localization of SEC62 limits antibody-based therapies, making functional inhibition a promising strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting SEC62 in HNSCC.
  • To evaluate agents that counteract SEC62 function for anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative effects.
  • To generate and characterize a SEC62 knockout HNSCC cell line for therapeutic sensitivity assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Functional in vitro assays using a human hypopharyngeal cancer cell line.
  • Development and utilization of an orthotopic murine in vivo model.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create a SEC62 knockout HNSCC cell line.

Main Results:

  • SEC62 functional inhibition demonstrated potential to limit tumor growth and metastasis.
  • Investigated agents showed anti-metastatic and anti-proliferative effects in vitro.
  • SEC62 knockout cell line characterization provided insights into its role in HNSCC proliferation, migration, and therapy sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting SEC62 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for HNSCC.
  • Functional inhibition of SEC62 can limit cancer progression and metastasis.
  • Further research into SEC62-targeted therapies is warranted for HNSCC treatment.
Keywords:
CRISPR/ Cas9Sec62head and neck cancerlymphogenic metastasisthapsigargintrifluoperazinexenograft model

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