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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
Chloride Channels and Transporters: Roles beyond Classical Cellular Homeostatic pH or Ion Balance in Cancers
Hyeong Jae Kim1, Peter Chang-Whan Lee2, Jeong Hee Hong1
1Department of Physiology, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, 155 Getbeolro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, Korea.
Abstract:
The canonical roles of chloride channels and chloride-associated transporters have been physiologically determined; these roles include the maintenance of membrane potential, pH balance, and volume regulation and subsequent cellular functions such as autophagy and cellular proliferative processes. However, chloride channels/transporters also play other roles, beyond these classical function, in cancerous tissues and under specific conditions. Here, we focused on the chloride channel-associated cancers and present recent advances in understanding the environments of various types of cancer caused by the participation of many chloride channel or transporters families and discuss the challenges and potential targets for cancer treatment. The modulation of chloride channels/transporters might promote new aspect of cancer treatment strategies.
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