What is the connection of cancer and ion channels? Which parts do you want to focus on in the mechanism of cancer with this congress?

Ion channels constitute a new field in cancer research. First of all, it is necessary to talk about the most basic features of cancer. Features such as making growth signals self-sufficient, evading from apoptosis (elimination of damaged cells by the mechanism of programmed cell death), unlimited proliferation capacity, forming new blood vessels with angionesis, tissue invasion and metastasis, and insensitivity to anti-growth signals are generally associated with cancer. They summarize the relationship between ion channels.  Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that generally allow the passive passage of certain ions into and out of the cell, and are located in the membrane. The term “passive” refers to the movement of ions through the channel only along their electrochemical gradient. There are more than one ion channel on the membrane with a specific function targeting one or more of the main features of cancer (metastasis, invasion, apoptosis stimulation, etc.), and each of them has a different task. Since the pathway, genes or proteins found here are known to affect the cancer mechanism in relation to each other, these electron signaling gradients inside, outside or on the membrane also directly affect the development of the process. Among the genes affected during malignant transformation, it is inevitable that those encoding Plasma membrane ion channels are also present. Ion fluxes through these channels define cell membrane potential and volume, are involved in intracellular signaling events, and activate specific cellular responses. In this context, we can say that the ion channel and the cancer mechanism are directly related.

We received information from one of the congress secretaries, Asst. Prof. Şerife Yerlikaya, about the 3rd International Congress on Cancer And Ion Channels event that will be held online on 16-18 September.

She gave us the following information about the congress;

We are pleased to announce that the 3rd International Cancer and Ion Channels Congress (CANCERION-2021) will be held virtually during 16th -18th September 2021. The organization is under the auspices of the Minister of Health of Turkey, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, and Istanbul Medipol University.

We are also delighted to confirm the active participation of Prof. Robert Weinberg, Prof. Annarosa Arcangeli, Prof. Mustafa Djamgoz, Prof. Omer Kucuk, Prof. Michael Levin, Prof. Stine Pedersen, Prof. Natalia Prevarskaya, and Drs. Ömer Yilmaz, Besim Ögretmen and Claudio Suparan.

Professor Robert Weinberg will deliver the opening presidential lecture.

The main themes of this congress will be cancer metabolism, translational oncology and ion channels. There will be 25 oral sessions each with a keynote lecture. In addition, several courses are being organized. This congress will bring together scientists from academia and industry, interested in interdisciplinary research and education in the fields of cancer research and clinical oncology.

On behalf of CANCERION-2021 Organizing and Scientific Committee, we invite you to our Congress and would be honoured to have your participation.

For detailed information and resitration click here.