Abstract
Voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channels control the membrane potential, cellular activation and cell death. Kv1.3 channels have been extensively studied in autoimmune disorders and are promising drug targets for the treatment of solid cancer. However, licensed drugs for specific inhibition of Kv1.3 channels in vivo are not available. Here, we give a short overview of the main characteristics of Kv1.3 channels and then focus on recent advances in the use of Kv1.3 blockers in the treatment of hematological malignancies, proposing memantine as a valuable Kv1.3 channel inhibitor for clinical application.
Keywords
Kv1.3 channel, Lymphoid leukemia, Myeloid leukemia, Memantine, Cell death