Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

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

3.8K

Sodium's role and therapeutic targeting in cancer

Junsha An1, Limei Zhang1, Yue Duan1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drugs, and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|November 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells have high sodium levels, affecting metabolism and drug resistance. Targeting sodium transporters offers a potential new cancer treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cancer cells display altered metabolism, including elevated intracellular sodium ion concentrations.
  • Sodium ions play a crucial role in cancer cell metabolism, immune evasion, and resistance to therapies.
  • Dysregulation of sodium-related transporters is implicated in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of sodium's role in cancer.
  • To analyze the impact of sodium transporters on cancer progression and therapeutic strategies.
  • To identify challenges and future directions in targeting sodium transporters for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on sodium ion levels in cancer cells.
  • Analysis of the function of sodium-related transporters in cancer.
  • Examination of current and potential therapeutic strategies targeting these transporters.

Main Results:

  • Increased intracellular sodium is a hallmark of cancer cells, influencing key cellular processes.
  • Sodium transporters are critical regulators of cellular sodium homeostasis and cancer cell behavior.
  • Targeting sodium transporters presents a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex relationship between sodium and cancer.
  • Understanding sodium transporter mechanisms is essential for developing effective cancer therapies.
  • Targeting sodium transporters holds significant potential for novel cancer treatment strategies.
Keywords:
cancerimmune responsemetabolismsodiumtransporter

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.2K
Inducing Targeted Mild Hyperthermia in Murine Tumor Models through Photothermal Conversion of Near-infrared Light by Intratumoral Gold Nanorods09:23

Inducing Targeted Mild Hyperthermia in Murine Tumor Models through Photothermal Conversion of Near-infrared Light by Intratumoral Gold Nanorods

Published on: October 10, 2025

1.4K

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...
8.6K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
9.8K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
5.5K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.9K
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:
3.8K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.6K