Cancer cells co-opt pain-sensing 'wasabi receptor' to survive oxidative stress

(Harvard Medical School) Some cancers express unusually high levels of a neural calcium channel known as the 'wasabi receptor,' which plays a role in detecting pain, cold and other sensations. New research finds cancer cells co-opt this neural channel to increase their tolerance against toxic oxidative stress. Blocking the activity of this channel in mice curbs tumor growth and makes cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news