Ion channels as novel pancreatic cancer biomarkers and targets

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels act as molecular sensors and transducers of diverse stimuli into cellular and physiological responses. Accumulating evidence has implicated the regulatory roles of TRP ion channels in various human diseases including malignancies. The requirement of the TRP melastatin-subfamily members, TRPM7 and TRPM8, in pancreatic development and cancer has been brought to light in recent discovery. Investigation of the mechanisms that mediate the functional roles of these TRP channels is expected to generate new insights into the pathogenesis of pancreatic neoplasia, and facilitate development of clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets toward the goal of personalized therapy in pancreatic cancer.