TRP Channels in Skin Cancer: Focus on Malignant Melanoma

Cutaneous malignant melanoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, characterized by high metastatic potential and resistance to standard therapies. Emerging evidence suggests that transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, non-selective cation channels involved in calcium homeostasis, and cellular stress responses play a pivotal role in melanoma development and progression. This review highlights the physiological expression of key TRP subfamilies (TRPM1, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPM2) in melanocytes and discusses their dysregulation in melanoma cells. TRPM1 is implicated as a tumor suppressor, whereas TRPM7, TRPV1, and TRPV4 often function as both melanoma suppressor or oncogenic drivers, modulating proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. TRPM2, which is responsive to oxidative stress, supports melanoma cell survival under metabolic stress. The potential of TRP channels as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets is evaluated, with attention paid to current pharmacological approaches and research challenges. The complexity and context-dependency of TRP function in melanoma underscore the need for isoform-specific modulation and personalized therapeutic strategies.