Targeting ion channel dysregulation in tumors: emerging therapeutic opportunities.

Tumor cells often display distinct electrophysiological properties compared with normal cells, including more frequent ion channel dysregulation and pronounced membrane potential depolarization. These abnormalities give rise to irregular electrical activity and disrupted ion homeostasis, contributing to malignant phenotypes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Given the pivotal role of ion channels in tumor biology, targeting ion channel dysregulation represents a promising therapeutic approach. This review highlights recent representative studies to shed light on the roles of various ion channel families - including potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, and transient receptor potential channels - in tumor progression. Furthermore, it summarizes advances in the repurposing and development of ion channel modulators and discusses emerging external interference technologies that modulate tumor electrical activity as potential therapeutic approaches.