Targeting Ca2+ signaling: A new arsenal against cancer

Suman Panda; Oishika Chatterjee; Laboni Roy; Subhrangsu Chatterjee

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.012

Targeting Ca²⁺ signaling: A new arsenal against cancer

Drug Discov Today. 2022 Mar;27(3):923-934. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.012. Epub 2021 Nov 15.

Authors

Suman Panda¹, Oishika Chatterjee¹, Laboni Roy¹, Subhrangsu Chatterjee²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Road, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata 700054, India.
² Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Road, Scheme VIIM, Kankurgachi, Kolkata 700054, India. Electronic address: subhro_c@jcbose.ac.in.

PMID: 34793973
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.11.012

Abstract

The drug resistance of cancer cells is a major concern in medical oncology, resulting in the failure of chemotherapy. Ca²⁺ plays a pivotal role in inducing multidrug resistance in cancer cells. Calcium signaling is a critical regulator of many cancer hallmarks, such as angiogenesis, invasiveness, and migration. In this review, we describe the involvement of Ca²⁺ signaling and associated proteins in cancer progression and in the development of multidrug resistance in cancer cells. We also highlight the possibilities and challenges of targeting the Ca²⁺ channels, transporters, and pumps involved in Ca²⁺ signaling in cancer cells through structure-based drug design. This work will open a new therapeutic window to be used against cancer in upcoming years.

Keywords: Ca(2+) signaling; Calcium transporters; Cancer; Drug design; Multidrug resistance.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Calcium Signaling
Calcium* / metabolism
Drug Resistance, Multiple
Humans
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Neoplasms* / metabolism

Substances

Calcium