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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
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Store-Operated Calcium Channels as Drug Target in Gastroesophageal Cancers

Yan Chang1, Souvik Roy2, Zui Pan1

  • 1College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|May 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is increasingly linked to gastroesophageal cancers. Targeting SOCE components like Orai and STIM may offer new chemotherapy options for esophageal and stomach cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Calcium Signaling

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal cancers (esophageal and stomach) have a poor prognosis and limited effective chemotherapies.
  • Dysregulated store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), a critical intracellular calcium (Ca2+) pathway, is emerging as a factor in these cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on SOCE's role in gastroesophageal cancers.
  • To assess the function of SOCE components (Orai, STIM) in cancer progression and stemness.
  • To discuss the potential of SOCE inhibitors as novel cancer therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advances in SOCE research related to gastroesophageal cancers.
  • Analysis of the pathophysiological roles of Orai and STIM proteins in cancer cell behavior.
  • Evaluation of current strategies for developing SOCE inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • SOCE plays a significant role in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness maintenance of gastroesophageal cancer cells.
  • Specific components of the SOCE machinery, including Orai and STIM proteins, are implicated in these cancer processes.
  • Development of targeted SOCE inhibitors is a promising area for new cancer treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding SOCE's contribution to gastroesophageal cancers is crucial for developing effective therapies.
  • Targeting SOCE offers a potential strategy for novel chemotherapeutic drugs, including targeted therapy or adjuvant treatment.
  • SOCE inhibitors may help overcome drug resistance in esophageal and stomach cancer treatment.
Keywords:
calcium signalingcancer stem cellsdrug resistanceesophageal squamous cell carcinomaorai

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