Transmembrane proteins in cancer: insights from mechanism to clinical impact

Transmembrane proteins (TMEMs) constitute a large family of proteins that span biological membranes and are distributed across various cellular organelles, playing key roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Increasing evidence has revealed that dysregulation of TMEMs is closely associated with cancer development and progression. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the relationship between TMEMs and cancer is essential. Different TMEMs can function either as oncogenes or tumour suppressors, depending on the context. In this review, we explore the involvement of TMEMs in cancer, categorizing them into three groups based on their roles: oncogenic, tumour-suppressive or dual-function (both oncogenic and tumour-suppressive). We summarize the roles of various TMEMs in different cancer types, highlighting both well-characterized proteins and those identified through database screening, even if their exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Where possible, we include known signalling pathways associated with these TMEMs. This review highlights the critical roles of the TMEM protein family and encourages further research into their mechanisms, prognostic value and potential as targets for cancer therapy.