Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) play important roles in the development and progression of many cancers. We report the possible roles of VGSC in human ovarian cancer. Relative mRNA expression levels of Nav1.1, Nav1.3, Nav1.4 and Nav1.5, analyzed by RT-PCR, were significantly higher in ovarian cancers cells compared with normal ovarian tissues; relative mRNA expression levels of Nav1.2, Nav1.4, Nav1.5 and Nav1.7 were significantly increased in highly metastatic ovarian cancer cells (Caov-3

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... nd SKOV-3) compared with low-metastatic ovarian cancer cells (Anglne). Treatment of 30 μM tetrodotoxin reduced by 50-60% migration and invasion of Caov-3 and SKOV-3 without affecting proliferation. Real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry assays revealed that functional expression levels of Nav1.5 might be correlated with the grade and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Our findings suggested that abnormal expression of Nav1.5 could be an integral component of the metastatic process in human ovarian cancer and might serve as a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer treatment. Materials and methods Cell culture. Human ovarian cancer cell lines Anglne, Caov-3 and SKOV-3 were obtained from the China Type Culture Collection (CTCC). Anglne cells are characterized by low rate of metastasis to non-specific sites; Caov-3 and SKOV-3 cells display a high rate of metastasis (14). Cells were cultured at 37˚C with 5% CO 2 , 95% O 2 in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum, 50 IU/ml penicillin, 50 ng/l streptomycin and 0.3 ng/l glutamine. Patient specimen. Four normal ovary (N1-N4) and 53 ovarian tumor specimens were included in the study (mean patient age: 47 years, range: 24-72 years), followed up at the ONCOLOGY REPORTS