# Deciphering the Role of Functional Ion Channels in Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and Their Therapeutic Implications

## TL;DR

This review explores how ion channels in cancer stem cells contribute to cancer persistence and could be targeted for new therapies.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of ion channels in cancer stem cells and their potential as therapeutic targets.

## Key findings

- Cancer stem cells express ion channels that regulate their survival and tumour regrowth.
- Targeting these ion channels could disrupt cancer progression and improve treatment outcomes.
- Ion channels in CSCs represent promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies.

## Abstract

Despite advances in medicine, cancer remains one of the foremost global health concerns. Conventional treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have advanced with the emergence of targeted and immunotherapy approaches. However, therapeutic resistance and relapse remain major barriers to long-term success in cancer treatment, often driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs). These rare, resilient cells can survive therapy and drive tumour regrowth, urging deeper investigation into the mechanisms underlying their persistence. CSCs express ion channels typical of excitable tissues, which, beyond electrophysiology, critically regulate CSC fate. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of these channels in CSCs remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. Nevertheless, the therapeutic potential of targeting CSC ion channels is immense, as it offers a powerful strategy to disrupt vital signalling pathways involved in numerous pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the diverse repertoire of ion channels expressed in CSCs and highlight recent mechanistic insights into how these channels modulate CSC behaviours, dynamics, and functions. We present a concise overview of ion channel-mediated CSC regulation, emphasizing their potential as novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, and identifying key areas for future research.