Targeting calcium signaling in cancer therapy.

Journal: Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B
Published Date: Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

The intracellular calcium ions (Ca) act as second messenger to regulate gene transcription, cell proliferation, migration and death. Accumulating evidences have demonstrated that intracellular Ca homeostasis is altered in cancer cells and the alteration is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis, progression and metastasis. Targeting derailed Ca signaling for cancer therapy has become an emerging research area. This review summarizes some important Ca channels, transporters and Ca-ATPases, which have been reported to be altered in human cancer patients. It discusses the current research effort toward evaluation of the blockers, inhibitors or regulators for Ca channels/transporters or Ca-ATPase pumps as anti-cancer drugs. This review is also aimed to stimulate interest in, and support for research into the understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of Ca signaling in different cancer cells, and to search for novel therapies to cure these malignancies by targeting Ca channels or transporters.

Authors

  • Chaochu Cui
    State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
  • Robert Merritt
    Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
  • Liwu Fu
    State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
  • Zui Pan
    Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.

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