Cancer: A bioelectric disease?

Based on the available evidence, cancer cannot be reduced to a purely bioelectric disease. However, bioelectric signalling emerges as a fundamental and previously underappreciated organising dimension of tumour biology, interacting with genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic regulatory layers to shape malignant cell states.

In conclusion, we propose that cancer can be understood as a disorder involving the dysregulation of bioelectric state control. Adopting this viewpoint could open up new avenues for research and clinical applications, potentially complementing existing molecular approaches and advancing the development of dynamic, state‐based precision oncology.

C.D. reviewed the literature, and wrote, drafted, and edited the manuscript. R.S. conducted the literature search and drafted selected sections of the manuscript. S.G., D.G., M.K. and N.K. reviewed and edited the manuscript. C.A.E.H. and D.B. reviewed the literature and contributed to manuscript editing. C.B. conceptualised the study, contributed to writing and editing, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

This work has been supported by TU Graz Open Access Publishing Fund. The figures were created with the support of BioRender.com and FigureLabs.ai.