Teneale A. Stewart, Kunsala T.D.S. Yapa, Gregory R. Monteith

Abstract

It is the nature of the calcium signal, as determined by the coordinated activity of a suite of calcium channels,
pumps, exchangers and binding proteins that ultimately guides a cell’s fate. Deregulation of the calcium signal
is often deleterious and has been linked to each of the ‘cancer hallmarks’. Despite this, we do not yet have a
full understanding of the remodeling of the calcium signal associated with cancer. Such an understanding
could aid in guiding the development of therapies specifically targeting altered calcium signaling in cancer
cells during tumorigenic progression. Findings from some of the studies that have assessed the remodeling of
the calcium signal associated with tumorigenesis and/or processes important in invasion and metastasis are
presented in this review. The potential of new methodologies is also discussed. This article is part of a Special
Issue entitled: Membrane channels and transporters in cancers.