Role of Ion Channel Genes as Targets in Oncology

Dear Colleagues,

Ion channels are a wide population inside the cell, divided into several subfamilies, and they play an important role in modulating cellular functions to determine cell fate. Importantly, recent evidence has demonstrated that the plasma membrane, as well as intracellular ion channels, are involved in cancer progression and the acquisition of the main features of the cancer cells, such as metabolic re-programming, absence of proliferative control, resistance to cell death induction, stimulation of angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Notably, ion channel activity can be modulated by several synthetic compounds or natural products, leading to a great variety of pharmacological options to regulate their function, reducing tumor progression, as has also been proven by pre-clinical mouse model in vivo.

In this Special Issue, we welcome reviews, new methods, and original articles covering any aspect of the targeting of ion channels, both plasma membrane and intracellular ones, in cancer. These include, but are not limited to, new drugs discovered to be able to reduce tumor development and progression, new possible ways to modulate ion channels activity, discussion of the state of the art in order to clearly define the future perspectives of the field.

We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Luigi Leanza
Dr. Vanessa Checchetto
Guest Editors

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• Ion channels
• Intracellular organelles
• Cancer
• Gene modulation
• Genetic diseases