Magnesium and its transporters in cancer: a novel paradigm in tumour development

The relationship between magnesium and cancer is not as simple as could be assumed from thewell-established requirement of magnesium for cell proliferation. Basic and pre-clinical studiesindicate that magnesium deficiency can have both anti- and pro-tumour effects. In the presentreview, we briefly outline the new findings on the role of magnesium in angiogenesis andmetastatization, and focus on the relationship between tumour cell proliferation and metabolicreprogramming, discussing how magnesium and its transporters are involved in these processes.The role of magnesium in cancer is also critically examined with regard to mitochondrial function,apoptosis and resistance to treatment. Finally, we bring together the latest experimental evidenceindicating that alteration in the expression and/or activity of magnesium channels is a frequentfinding in cancer cells and human tumour tissues examined to date, and we discuss the potentialimplications for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.