Transient receptor melastatin channel in colorectal cancer: pathophysiological mechanisms and a promising drug target.

The transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) family consists of eight members (TRPM1-8), which play a pivotal role in regulating cation fluxes, including K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. While these channels are integral to various physiological functions, emerging evidence links TRPM dysregulation to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies worldwide. This review highlights the multifaceted roles of TRPM channels in CRC pathogenesis, their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and their therapeutic applications. Recent research has revealed that certain types of TRPM channels and specific noncoding RNAs within TRPM loci are implicated in critical oncogenic processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Specific members, including TRPM4, TRPM7, and TRPM8, exhibit diverse effects in CRC, ranging from modulating metastasis to influencing chemoresistance. Despite their significant role in CRC, conflicting findings on TRPM expression levels in patient tissues highlight the complexity of their involvement and necessitate further research. TRPM modulators show therapeutic potential as anticancer agents. However, challenges in specificity and off-target effects currently limit their clinical application. Advancing our understanding of TRPM function in CRC could hold promise for novel treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.