trpm8 channels may be a target for treating prostate cancer. trpm8 is an androgen dependent ca channel necessary for prostate cancer cells to survive and grow. immunfluorescence showed expression of the trpm8 protein in the er and plasma membrane of the androgen-responsive lncap cell line. trpm8 was expressed in androgen-insensitive cells, but it was not shown to be needed for their survival. by knockout of trpm8 with sirnas targeting trpm8 mrnas, the necessity of the trpm8 receptor was shown in the androgen-dependent cancer cells. this has useful implications in terms of gene therapy, as there are so few treatment options for men with prostate cancer. as an androgen-regulated protein whose function is lost as cancer develops in cells, the trpm8 protein seems to be especially critical in regulating calcium levels and has recently been proposed as the focus of new drugs used to treat prostate cancer.