SOCE and cancer: Recent progress and new perspectives

Ca2+ acts as a universal and versatile second messenger in the regulation of a myriad of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mediated by ORAI and the stromal interaction molecule (STIM) constitutes one of the major routes of calcium entry in nonexcitable cells, in which the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores triggers activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident Ca2+ sensor protein STIM to gate and open the ORAI Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane (PM). Accumulating evidence indicates that SOCE plays critical roles in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and tumor neovascularization, as well as in antitumor immunity. We summarize herein the recent advances in our understanding of the function of SOCE in various types of tumor cells, vascular endothelial cells and cells of the immune system. Finally, the therapeutic potential of SOCE inhibitors in the treatment of cancer is also discussed.