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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches

Published on: June 16, 2023

Dianas de canales iónicos en tumores: oportunidades terapéuticas emergentes

Weici Laurence Liu¹, Xiaowen Xie², Hanqing Chen³

¹Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China.

Trends in pharmacological sciences

|December 21, 2025

Abstract:

Tumor cells often display distinct electrophysiological properties compared with normal cells, including more frequent ion channel dysregulation and pronounced membrane potential depolarization. These abnormalities give rise to irregular electrical activity and disrupted ion homeostasis, contributing to malignant phenotypes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Given the pivotal role of ion channels in tumor biology, targeting ion channel dysregulation represents a promising therapeutic approach. This review highlights recent representative studies to shed light on the roles of various ion channel families - including potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, and transient receptor potential channels - in tumor progression. Furthermore, it summarizes advances in the repurposing and development of ion channel modulators and discusses emerging external interference technologies that modulate tumor electrical activity as potential therapeutic approaches.

Palabras clave:

actividad eléctrica canal iónico modulador de canal iónico homeostasis iónica potencial de membrana tumor campos de tratamiento de tumores

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