Patent ID: 7211561

Claim:
A method of inhibiting the growth of a malignant tumor in a mammalian subject, comprising: providing a calcium-activated potassium channel activator; and administering to a mammalian subject having a malignant tumor that comprises a malignant cell, the calcium-activated potassium channel activator under conditions and in an amount sufficient to induce apoptosis of the cell, whereby growth of the malignant tumor is inhibited, and wherein the malignant cell is a glioma or astrocytoma cell and the calcium-activated potassium channel activator is 1,3-dihydro-1-[2-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazole-2-one, and wherein the calcium-activated potassium channel activator is administered to the mammalian subject at a dose rate of about 0.075 to about 150 μg kg −1 min −1 .