Intracellular ion channels in pancreas cancer

Abstract

The current basis of systemic treatment for pancreas cancer involves cytotoxic chemotherapy. Despite newer regimens, overall survival remains poor and this dilemma is further compounded by a lack of effective, novel therapeutic targets. Another challenge in treating pancreas cancer is the complex tumor microenvironment, which contains regulatory T cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and tumor associated macrophages that forms a barrier to standard therapies. Intracellular ion channels are ubiquitously expressed in all cells and their role in carcinogenesis is increasingly becoming elucidated. They play an integral role in each of the six "Hallmarks of Cancer" and are potential novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pancreas cancer. Although examined in various hematologic and gastrointestinal malignancies, there are limited data examining the prognostic role of specific ion channels in pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma. This review focuses on chloride (CLCA-1, CLIC1, CLIC3), calcium (TRPM7, TRPM8), and potassium (Kir3.1, KCa3.1, Kv11.1, Kv1.3) channels in pancreas cancer.