Non-cancer to anti-cancer: investigation of human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channel inhibitors as potential therapeutics

• Published in: Journal of Egyptian National Cancer Institute 2021-11, Vol.33 (1), p.1-16
• Main Authors: Patil, Vaishali M, Gaurav, Anand, Garg, Priyanka, Masand, Neeraj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-cancer agents; Apoptosis; Cancer; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiotoxicity; Care and treatment; Cell cycle; Cell growth; Datasets; Diabetes; Dofetilide; Drug repurposing; Drug therapy; FDA approval; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; hERG inhibitors; Hypoglycemic agents; Investigations; Leukemia; Molecular docking; Non-cancer; Oncology, Experimental; Potassium; Potassium channels; Prevention; Thioridazine
• ISSN: 1110-0362; 2589-0409
• DOI: 10.1186/s43046-021-00091-3

Background The expression of hERG K.sup.+ channels is observed in various cancer cells including epithelial, neuronal, leukemic, and connective tissue. The role of hERG potassium channels in regulating the growth and death of cancer cells include cell proliferation, survival, secretion of proangiogenic factors, invasiveness, and metastasis. Methods In the reported study, an attempt has been made to investigate some non-cancer hERG blockers as potential cancer therapeutics using a computational drug repurposing strategy. Preliminary investigation for hERG blockers/non-blockers has identified 26 potential clinically approved compounds for further studies using molecular modeling. Results The interactions at the binding pockets have been investigated along with the prioritization based on the binding score. Some of the identified potential hERG inhibitors, i.e., Bromocriptine, Darglitazone, and Troglitazone, have been investigated to derive the mechanism of cancer inhibition. Conclusions The proposed mechanism for anti-cancer properties via hERG blocking for some of the potential compounds is required to be explored using other experimental methodologies. The drug repurposing approach applied to investigate anti-cancer therapeutics may direct to provide a therapeutic solution to late-stage cancer and benefit a significant population of patients.