TRP Channels in Cancer

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels play an important role in many fundamental cellular processes and are also implicated in initiation and progression of different cancers. To date, most reports suggest that malignant transformation is often associated with changes in TRP channels expression/function rather than mutations. Current evidence supports that TRP channels are important in the regulation of the cellular processes altered in cancer, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis. However, the contribution of a specific TRP channel to these processes could vary depending on cancer type and stage. Therefore, further studies are needed to unravel specific roles of TRP channels in each type of cancer to determine their potential to be used as diagnostic markers and/or therapeutic targets in each particular case.