Altered calcium signaling in cancer cells

• Deregulated Ca2 + signaling is linked to each of the ‘cancer hallmarks’.
• Altered Ca2 + transporter protein expression is associated with some cancers.
• Specific aspects of the Ca2 + signal appear to be altered in some cancer cells.
• The nature of altered Ca2 + signaling in cancer is not completely understood.
• Understanding altered Ca2 + signaling in cancer may guide therapeutic targeting.

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.