Calcium transport and signalling in breast cancer: Functional and prognostic significance

Comprised of a complex network of numerous intertwining pathways, the Ca2+ signalling nexus is an essential mediator of many normal cellular activities. Like many other such functions, the normal physiological activity of Ca2+ signalling is frequently co-opted and reshaped in cases of breast cancer,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in cancer biology 2021-07, Vol.72, p.19-26
Main Authors: O’Grady, Shane, Morgan, Maria P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy
Breast Neoplasms - metabolism
Breast Neoplasms - pathology
Calcium
Calcium - metabolism
Calcium channels
Calcium Signaling - drug effects
Female
Humans
Store-operated calcium entry
Targeted therapy
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Summary:Comprised of a complex network of numerous intertwining pathways, the Ca2+ signalling nexus is an essential mediator of many normal cellular activities. Like many other such functions, the normal physiological activity of Ca2+ signalling is frequently co-opted and reshaped in cases of breast cancer, creating a potent oncogenic drive within the affected cell population. Such modifications can occur within pathways mediating either Ca2+ import (e.g. TRP channels, ORAI-STIM1) or Ca2+ export (e.g. PMCA), indicating that both increases and decreases within cellular Ca2+ levels have the potential to increase the malignant potential of a cell. Increased understanding of these pathways may offer clinical benefit in terms of both prognosis and treatment; patient survival has been linked to expression levels of certain Ca2+ transport proteins, whilst selective targeting of these factors with novel anti-cancer agents has demonstrated a variety of anti-tumour effects in in vitro studies. In addition, the activity of several Ca2+ signalling pathways has been shown to influence chemotherapy response, suggesting that a synergistic approach coupling traditional chemotherapy with Ca2+ targeting agents may also improve patient outcome. As such, targeted modulation of these pathways represents a novel approach in precision medicine and breast cancer therapy.
ISSN:1044-579X
1096-3650
DOI:10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.12.006