Unveiling the Role of the 'Gates of Heaven' Calcium Channel in Oral Cancer
A study led by researchers at New York University College of Dentistry has found that the ORAI1 calcium channel, which acts as a gatekeeper for calcium entering cells, promotes the growth of oral cancer and generates pain. The overexpression of the ORAI1 gene was observed in oral cancer tumors but not in healthy tissue. Activating the ORAI1 calcium channel caused an influx of calcium into cancer cells, leading to the secretion of matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP1), which is associated with cancer metastasis and poor prognosis. Removing the ORAI1 gene from oral cancer cells resulted in slower tumor growth and reduced pain. Targeting the ORAI1 channel could provide a new approach to treating oral cancer and alleviating pain.