TRPM2 Channels: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Melanoma?

The transient receptor potential, the melastatin (TRPM) subfamily, which consists of eight known members, appears to have significant importance in melanoma progression, treatment, and prognosis. As several members were originally cloned from cancerous tissue, initial studies aimed towards identifying TRPM involvement in cancer progression and tumorigenesis. For relevance in skin cancer, previous research has shown roles for several TRPM members in skin cancer progression, growth, and patient prognosis. One unique member, TRPM2, appears to have notable therapeutic potential in the treatment of melanoma. Previous and recent studies have demonstrated increased TRPM2 expression levels in melanoma, as well as important roles for TRPM2 in melanoma growth, proliferation, and survival. TRPM2 is thus an emerging target in the treatment of melanoma, where TRPM2 antagonism may offer an additional treatment option for melanoma patients in the future.