Ion Channel Dysregulation Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: A Theoretical Link to Cancer Cell Differentiation and Tumor Progression

Ion channels are crucial in cellular functions like proliferation, motility, and differentiation. Dysregulation of these channels is a hallmark of numerous cancers, contributing to tumorigenesis and metastasis. Recent evidence suggests that viral proteins, like the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, may further exacerbate these dysregulated pathways by modulating ion channel activity, specifically sodium channels. This theoretical framework explores the potential role of viral protein-induced ion channel dysfunction in cancer progression, proposing a link between spike protein modulation of sodium channels and oncogenic transformation. Given the critical involvement of ion channels in cellular behavior, this paper hypothesizes that alterations in their activity may predispose cells to cancerous behaviors and enhance metastatic potential. Additionally, it discusses the therapeutic promise of ion channel modulators as potential treatments for cancers driven by such channelopathies, offering insights into targeted approaches to disrupt oncogenic processes caused by ion channel dysregulation.