Harnessing the ion transportome to treat cancer
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Despite significant advances in early detection and therapeutic opportunities, cancer remains a critical global health challenge. The greatest barrier to reducing cancer‐associated mortality is the persistent problem of therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Standard treatment approaches, including surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation, are effective for many patients with localised disease. However, a substantial proportion of patients will experience recurrence and therapy resistance, leading to treatment failure and poor outcomes. This adverse prognosis for patients highlights the critical need to identify new therapeutic targets capable of improving long‐term survival. The ion transportome comprises ion channels, solute transporters and pumps that regulate controlled movement of sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), chloride (Cl − ) and hydrogen (H + ) across cell membranes. Ion transport is central to many cellular processes, including cell growth, volume regulation, proliferation and migration. In many solid tumours, the finely tuned ionic balance becomes dysregulated, with aberrant expression or activity of membrane transport proteins being closely linked to many of the hallmarks of cancer. Ion channel modulation using pharmacological agents designed to treat channelopathies has demonstrated promise in suppressing cancer progression in preclinical models. Thus, targeting ion‐driven vulnerabilities within solid tumours may complement existing therapies to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes. The dynamic nature of ion transport mechanisms means that addressing critical research questions regarding their suitability as pharmacological targets is challenging, highlighting the need to develop innovative approaches to study these processes in oncology. image
Source: The Journal of Physiology
DOI: 10.1113/jp290738
Authors: Alina L. Capatina, Jodie R. Malcolm, Aamir Ahmed, Jason Bruce, Paul J. Buchanan, Thomas R. Eykyn, Elizabeth M. Fitzgerald, Amanda J. Foust, Tim G. Hales, Yoshikatsu Hayashi, Stuart G. Higgins, Alson Huang, Antony P. Jackson, Andrew D. James, Frederick Jones, Sarah J. Lilley, Karen McCloskey, Sara Moodad, Hugh Robinson, Samantha C. Salvage, Orkun S. Soyer, Serife Yerlikaya, Jonathan Ashmore, Ruth Murrell‐Lagnado, William J. Brackenbury
Institutions: Yorkshire Cancer Research, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, University of Manchester, Dublin City University, King's College London, Imperial College London, University of Dundee, University of Reading, University of York, University of Cambridge, Manchester Metropolitan University, East Sussex County Council, University of Sussex, Queen's University Belfast, St George's, University of London, University of Warwick, Istanbul Medipol University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214414454
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