Abstract: Disclosed are a method of inducing apoptosis of a malignant cell, which employs a calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) activator and is useful for treating a malignant tumor in a human subject. Also disclosed are methods of selectively inhibiting the proliferation of malignant cells compared to non-malignant cells in a mixed population of malignant and non-malignant cells and of inhibiting the growth of a malignant tumor, such as a glial tumor, in a mammalian subject. A kit for inducing apoptosis of malignant cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of selectively delivering a medicant to an abnormal brain region and/or to a malignant tumor in a mammalian subject, including a human. A medicant is administered simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with a potassium channel agonist (other than bradykinin or a bradykinin analog), such as NS-1619,1-EBIO, a guanylyl cyclase activator, a guanylyl cyclase activating protein, minoxidil, pinacidil, cromakalim, or levcromakalim, whereby the medicant is delivered selectively to the cells of the abnormal brain region and/or to the tumor, compared to normal tissues. Thus, among the disclosures is a method of treating a malignant tumor in a human subject. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that combine a potassium channel agonist together with a medicant and a kit for enhancing the delivery of a medicant to an abnormal brain region and/or to a malignant tumor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of inducing apoptosis of a malignant cell, which employs a calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) activator and is useful for treating a malignant tumor in a human subject. Also disclosed are methods of selectively inhibiting the proliferation of malignant cells compared to non-malignant cells in a mixed population of malignant and non-malignant cells and of inhibiting the growth of a malignant tumor, such as a glial tumor, in a mammalian subject. A kit for inducing apoptosis of malignant cells is also disclosed.