The relationship between magnesium and cancer is not as simple as could be assumed from the well-established requirement of magnesium for cell proliferation. Basic and pre-clinical studies indicate that magnesium deficiency can have both anti- and pro-tumour effects. In the present review, we briefly outline the new findings on the role of magnesium in angiogenesis and metastatization, and focus on the relationship between tumour cell proliferation and metabolic reprogramming, discussing how magnesium and its transporters are involved in these processes. The role of magnesium in cancer is also critically examined with regard to mitochondrial function, apoptosis and resistance to treatment. Finally, we bring together the latest experimental evidence indicating that alteration in the expression and/or activity of magnesium channels is a frequent finding in cancer cells and human tumour tissues examined to date, and we discuss the potential implications for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Review Article|
June 07 2012
Magnesium and its transporters in cancer: a novel paradigm in tumour development
Federica I. Wolf;
1Istituto di Patologia Generale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia “A. Gemelli”, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
Correspondence: Professor Federica I. Wolf (email [email protected]).
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Valentina Trapani
Valentina Trapani
1Istituto di Patologia Generale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia “A. Gemelli”, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 15 2012
Revision Received:
April 10 2012
Accepted:
April 30 2012
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 Biochemical Society
2012
Clin Sci (Lond) (2012) 123 (7): 417–427.
Article history
Received:
February 15 2012
Revision Received:
April 10 2012
Accepted:
April 30 2012
Citation
Federica I. Wolf, Valentina Trapani; Magnesium and its transporters in cancer: a novel paradigm in tumour development. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 October 2012; 123 (7): 417–427. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20120086
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