Oncogenic TRP Channels

Ion channels and notably TRP channels play a crucial role in a variety of physiological functions and in addition these channels have been also shown associated with several diseases including cancer. The process of cancer initiation and progression involves the altered expression of one or more of TRP proteins, depending on the nature of the cancer. The most clearly described role in pathogenesis has been evidenced for TRPM8, TRPV6 and TRPM1 channels. The increased expression of some other channels, such as TRPV1, TRPC1, TRPC6, TRPM4, and TRPM5 has also been demonstrated in some cancers. Further investigations are required to precise the role of TRP channels in cancer development and/or progression and to specifically develop further knowledge of TRP proteins as discriminative markers and prospective targets for pharmaceutical intervention in treating cancer.