Targeting potassium channels and autophagy to defeat chemoresistance.

Both autophagy and hERG1 potassium channels have been shown to promote tumor progression and resistance to treatment. Our findings indicate that the antibiotic clarithromycin can target hERG1 and modulate autophagy to promote the death of chemoresistant colorectal cancer cells. Thus, clarithromycin stands out as promising combinatorial partner to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.