Biochem/physiol Actions

Senicapoc (ICA-17043) is an inhibitor of the calcium-activated K⁺ channel KCa3.1, also known as the Gardos channel, which plays a role in K⁺ loss and dehydration of sickled red blood cells. Senicapoc blocks calcium-induced rubidium flux in human RBCs with and IC50 of 11 nM and prevents RBC dehydration in a transgenic mouse sickle cell disease model. It has been investigated for a number of possible uses, which include antimalarial activity, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, glioblastoma, lung cancer, non-alcoholic liver disease, hereditary xerocytosis, suppression of microglial activation in stroke, and immune system disorders.