Targeting calcium signaling in cancer therapy

The intracellular calcium ions (Ca(2+)) act as second messenger to regulate gene transcription, cell proliferation, migration and death. Accumulating evidences have demonstrated that intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis is altered in cancer cells and the alteration is involved in tumor initiation, angiogenesis, progression and metastasis. Targeting derailed Ca(2+) signaling for cancer therapy has become an emerging research area. This review summarizes some important Ca(2+) channels, transporters and Ca(2+)-ATPases, which have been reported to be altered in human cancer patients. It discusses the current research effort toward evaluation of the blockers, inhibitors or regulators for Ca(2+) channels/transporters or Ca(2+)-ATPase pumps as anti-cancer drugs. This review is also aimed to stimulate interest in, and support for research into the understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of Ca(2+) signaling in different cancer cells, and to search for novel therapies to cure these malignancies by targeting Ca(2+) channels or transporters.