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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
Oncogenic and anti-oncogenic effects of transient receptor potential channels
Sonia Liberati1, Maria Beatrice Morelli, Massimo Nabissi
1School of Pharmacy, Section of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
Abstract:
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels affect several inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. About thirty TRPs have been identified to date and divided into seven families: TRPC (Canonical), TRPV (Vanilloid), TRPM (Melastatin), TRPML (Mucolipin), TRPP (Polycystin), and TRPA (Ankyrin transmembrane protein) and TRPN (NomPClike). Among these, the TRPC, TRPM, and TRPV families have been mainly correlated with malignant growth and progression. The aim of this review is to summarize data reported so far on the expression and functional role of TRP channels in different types of cancers. TRP channels have been recently implicated in the triggering of enhanced proliferation, aberrant differentiation, and resistance to apoptotic cell death, leading to uncontrolled tumor growth and progression. Depending on cancer stage, up and down-regulation of TRP mRNAs and protein expression have been reported. These changes have been shown to exhibit cancer promoting (oncogenic) or inhibiting/delaying (tumor suppressor) effects. We are only at the beginning, and more detailed study on the physiopathologic role of TRP channels is required to understand how the deregulation of TRP channel expression and function contributes to tumor development and progression. It is hoped that greater knowledge about TRP biology will enable future development of new chemotherapeutic agents for specific TRP targets, and the use of TRP channels as evaluable markers in diagnostic and/or prognostic analysis.
Insights
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are implicated in cancer. Their altered expression can promote or inhibit tumor growth, offering potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Channelopathies
Background:
- Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are a diverse group of ion channels involved in various physiological processes.
- Dysregulation of TRP channel expression and function is increasingly linked to inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.
- Specific TRP families, including TRPC, TRPM, and TRPV, are notably associated with cancer development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize current knowledge on the expression and functional roles of TRP channels across different cancer types.
- To highlight the involvement of TRP channels in key cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis resistance.
- To discuss the dual role of TRP channels as potential oncogenes or tumor suppressors in cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating TRP channel expression and function in cancer.
- Analysis of reported changes in TRP mRNA and protein levels during cancer development.
- Synthesis of data on the oncogenic or tumor-suppressive effects of TRP channel alterations.
Main Results:
- TRP channels are implicated in promoting uncontrolled tumor growth through enhanced proliferation, aberrant differentiation, and apoptosis resistance.
- Both upregulation and downregulation of TRP channels have been observed in various cancers, with context-dependent effects.
- TRP channel alterations can act as either oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors, influencing cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- TRP channel deregulation significantly contributes to tumor development and progression.
- Further research into the physiopathologic roles of TRP channels is crucial for understanding their contribution to cancer.
- TRP channels represent promising targets for novel chemotherapeutic agents and valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
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