ASO Author Reflections: Cancer Stem Cells of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma are Suppressed by Inhibitors of TRPV2 and SLC12A2

Excerpt

Esophageal cancer has two major histological types: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Esophageal adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 50% of esophageal cancer cases in Western countries and is associated with Barrett’s esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Because the incidence of Barrett’s esophagus and GERD has recently increased in Eastern countries, the increases in EAC are expected. Conversely, ion channels/transporters have been implicated in the fundamental mechanisms of cancer cells, and their regulation has potential as a novel strategy in cancer therapies. We previously reported the high expression of ion channels/transporters in ESCC, gastric, and pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs).^1‐3 In the CSCs of ESCC, we revealed high expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) and that its specific inhibitor, tranilast, which has been widely used for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, keloids, and hypertrophic scars, was more cytotoxic at a lower concentration in CSCs.¹ These findings indicated a role for TRPV2 in the maintenance of CSCs and its potential as a targeted, therapeutic agent for ESCC.¹ However, the expression profiles of ion channels/transporters and their oncogenic functions in the CSCs of EAC remain unknown. This study was designed to confirm the expression and function of ion channels/transporters in CSCs obtained from the EAC cell line. …