Suppression of cellular invasion by glybenclamide through inhibited secretion of platelet-derived growth factor in ovarian clear cell carcinoma ES-2 cells

It has been demonstrated that potassium channels (K+ channels) play significant roles in some malignant phenotypes. Here, we provide the first evidence that treatment with glybenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, inhibited cell migration in an ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell line, ES-2. Treatment with glybenclamide or knockdown by siRNA targeted against K+ channel subunits demonstrated the suppression of ovarian cancer cell invasion, which occurred via inhibition of PDGF-AA secretion. Therefore, our findings suggest that K+ channel blockers may be useful chemotherapeutic drugs for blocking the invasiveness of ovarian cancers.

► Glybenclamide is an orally active K-channel blocker widely used for type II diabetes.
► It was found to inhibit PDGF-mediated cellular invasion in ovarian carcinoma cells.
► Thus, K-channel activity is likely to be a new target of anti-metastasis agent.