Calcium and cancer: targeting Ca2+ transport

Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Jul;7(7):519-30. doi: 10.1038/nrc2171.

Abstract

Ca2+ is a ubiquitous cellular signal. Altered expression of specific Ca2+ channels and pumps are characterizing features of some cancers. The ability of Ca2+ to regulate both cell death and proliferation, combined with the potential for pharmacological modulation, offers the opportunity for a set of new drug targets in cancer. However, the ubiquity of the Ca2+ signal is often mistakenly presumed to thwart the specific therapeutic targeting of proteins that transport Ca2+. This Review presents evidence to the contrary and addresses the question: which Ca2+ channels and pumps should be targeted?

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis
  • Biological Transport
  • Calcium / physiology*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Telomerase / drug effects
  • Telomerase / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Telomerase
  • Calcium