Tumour development through the Mg2+fying glass

The last decades have witnessed a greater appreciation of the importanceof magnesium for human health, but the relationship between magnesium and cancerdevelopment remains controversial. Here we review the current knowledge onthe cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the manifold effects of magnesiumduring tumor progression. A complex picture emerges where the positive consequencesof low magnesium availability on tumor growth seem to be counterbalancedby negative outcomes in the very early and late stages of tumorigenesis; a concurrentimmune-inflammatory response appears to contribute throughout the natural historyof a tumor. We also discuss the debated interaction between magnesium status andthe response to therapy and the potential application of the TRPM7 magnesiumchannel as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target. A deeper understanding ofmagnesium homeostasis through the interaction of fundamental and clinicalresearchers is key to develop new strategies of cancer prevention and treatment.