Anti-Cancer Agents in Proliferation and Cell Death: The Calcium Connection

Calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling and the modulation of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) levels play critical roles in several key processes that regulate cellular survival, growth, differentiation, metabolism, and death in normal cells. On the other hand, aberrant Ca(2+)-signaling and loss of [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis contributes to tumor initiation proliferation, angiogenesis, and other key processes that support tumor progression in several different cancers. Currently, chemically and functionally distinct drugs are used as chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment and management of cancer among which certain anti-cancer drugs reportedly suppress pro-survival signals and activate pro-apoptotic signaling through modulation of Ca(2+)-signaling-dependent mechanisms. Most importantly, the modulation of [Ca(2+)](i) levels via the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial axis and corresponding action of channels and pumps within the plasma membrane play an important role in the survival and death of cancer cells. The endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial axis is of prime importance when considering Ca(2+)-signaling-dependent anti-cancer drug targets. This review discusses how calcium signaling is targeted by anti-cancer drugs and highlights the role of calcium signaling in epigenetic modification and the Warburg effect in tumorigenesis.