SLC8A2 and breast carcinoma: VCAM1 is also expressed on cancer cells, with its expression on breast cancer cells having been found to confer a survival advantage as a result of interaction of the cells with macrophages and consequent activation of a VCAM1–Ezrin–PI 3-kinase–Akt signaling pathway [35]. SLC8A2 encodes a Na+-Ca2+ exchanger whose expression is restricted to the brain [36]. SLC7A11 encodes the xCT subunit of a cystine-glutamate transporter that increases intracellular glutathione levels to protect cells from oxidative stress [37].