Therapeutic potential of modulation of the ion channel activity of vanilloid receptors TRPV1 in oncological practice

Abstract

Background. Type 1 vanilloid receptors (TRPV1 ) play an important role in tumoral genesis and cancer development, because the expression levels of TRPV1 change in a lot of types of cancer cells. At present, the regulation of functional activity and sensitivity of TRPV1 is an object of intensive research. Purpose – to characterize the modern concept of therapeutic potential of modulation of the ion channel activity of vanilloid receptors TRPV1 in oncological practice according to the data from open literature sources. Materials and methods. The publications were selected from the following databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Clinical Key, etc. In these publications the data on the ion channels of the transistor receptor potential were elucidated, particularly on type 1 vanilloid receptors, their role in tumoral genesis and the therapeutic potential of the modulation of their activity. Results. Binding of exogenous agonists to the TRPV1 receptor is accompanied by the influx of Ca2+ ions from the cytosol to the cell. It is known that Ca2+ ions are one of the main secondary messengers, since they play an important role in lots of fundamental physiological processes, including cell excitability, vitality, apoptosis and transcription. The disbalance of intracellular flow of Ca2+ is associated with characteristics of different types of cancer. The latest studies have shown that Ca2+ also contributes to certain malignant appearances, such as proliferation, invasion, migration and metastasis. Moreover, TRPV1 activation modulates the apoptosis-proliferation balance through the mechanisms beyond Ca2+ signaling, and in some works TRPV1 role in metastasis of cancer cells is mentioned. Conclusions. Selective TRPV1 activation or the increase in its expression has therapeutic potential, conditioned by pleiotropic influence on the apoptosis-proliferation balance in cancer cells. TRPV1 blockage or reduction of its expression can mitigate hyperalgesia caused by the tumor. In addition, TRPV1 act as biomarkers of a range of cancers (invasive breast carcinoma, epithelial ovarian and cervical cancer).