# Optogenetics for Investigating and Targeting Hallmark Traits of Cancer

## TL;DR

Optogenetics allows precise control of cell functions using light, helping researchers study and target cancer traits in new ways.

## Contribution

A review of optogenetic tools and their applications in cancer research, highlighting their potential for therapeutic and investigative purposes.

## Key findings

- Optogenetics enables precise regulation of ion flux, gene expression, and protein interactions in cancer studies.
- It helps identify critical signaling circuits and potential drug targets in cancer progression.
- Optogenetics improves control in cell-based therapies and aids in drug screening and immune modulation.

## Abstract

The light-mediated, specific, and precise control of cell functions enabled by optogenetics has become a versatile method for investigating and combatting cancer. An increasing set of optogenetic tools enables tightly controlled regulation of ion flux across biological membranes, gene expression, gene editing, and protein–protein interactions and is being used to interrogate hallmark traits of cancer at the cellular, subcellular, and organismic level. This enables, on the one hand, the identification of critical signaling circuits required for cancer development and progression in vitro and in animal models and can flag potential intervention points for pharmacologic interference. On the other hand, optogenetics can improve the level of control in cell-based therapeutics. The current article provides a review of optogenetic tools and approaches used in the cancer research field and their multiple applications for improving our understanding of signal transduction pathways, modulating immune functions in the tumor microenvironment, facilitating drug screening, or directly attacking cancer cells. Key advantages and achievements of optogenetics in the cancer research field and remaining barriers for clinical applications are discussed.