Hanne Verswyvel

Chapter 5 │ Page 187 observed an increased area of cell death, likely due to the bystander e ect of passing apoptotic signals between cells [164]. Therefore, NTP therapy, and specifically NTP-generated RONS, have a great potential impact on the function of GJs via oxidative stress. A full understanding of RONS-GJs interactions can help in the modulation of their protecting and damaging mechanisms under oxidative stress, to improve NTP-based cell death. Computer simulations can be a useful and powerful tool to provide insights into these mechanisms, as well as their e ects on membrane properties and the function of GJs. To summarize, modulation of GJs can help inhibit or improve the pro- and antitumorigenic properties of GJs. Peptides, antibodies, and chemotherapeutic agents can be used to inhibit the pro-tumorigenic property of GJs, restoring the sensitivity of cancer cells for chemotherapeutic drugs and reducing tumor growth. Oxidative stress and the role of GJs to mediate the propagation of cell death and activation of the immune system can improve the anti-tumorigenic property of GJs, increasing cancer cell death. But their e ects are dependent on the treatment type and may vary among di erent cancer types. The pro- and anti-tumorigenic properties of GJs have been explored to increase cancer cell death not only in traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but as well as in novel treatments, such as PDT and NTP. 8. CONCLUSION Overall, clinical, experimental, and modeling work performed up to now highlight the profound impact of GJs in the context of tumor development and progression. These studies confirm emerging concepts that GJs have pro- and antitumorigenic properties in cancer cells, which depend on GJ composition, cancer factors, and tumoral context. Thus, modulation of GJs can be used to inhibit or improve the pro- and anti-tumorigenic properties of GJs for anti-cancer responses.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw