The contribution of mitochondrial ion channels to cancer development and progression

Mitochondria play a central role in cancer development, by contributing to most of the classical hallmarks of cancer, including sustained proliferation, metabolic re-programming, apoptosis resistance, invasion and induction of angiogenesis [1]. In addition, mitochondria affect also the function of anti- and pro-tumoral immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Mitochondria harbor a plethora of regulated ion channels whose function is related to ion/ metabolite transport and to fine-tuning of mitochondrial membrane potential as well as of reactive oxygen species release. As a consequence, growing evidence link ion channels located both in the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes to several cancer hallmarks. The present review summarizes our recent knowledge about the participation and role of mitochondrial channels leading to acquisition of cancer hallmarks and thus to cancer progression.