Targeting A2 Adenosine Receptors in Cancer

Overview

Journal Immunol Cell Biol

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Cell Biology

Date 2017 Feb 9

PMID 28174424

Citations 47

Authors

David Allard

Martin Turcotte

John Stagg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Tumor cells use various ways to evade anti-tumor immune responses. Adenosine, a potent immunosuppressive metabolite, is often found elevated in the extracellular tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting adenosine-generating enzymes (CD39 and CD73) or adenosine receptors has emerged as a novel means to stimulate anti-tumor immunity. In particular, the A2 (A2a and A2b) adenosine receptors exhibit similar immunosuppressive and pro-angiogenic functions, yet have distinct biological roles in cancer. In this review, we describe the common and distinct biological consequences of A2a and A2b adenosine receptor signaling in cancer. We discuss recent pre-clinical studies and summarize the different mechanisms-of-action of adenosine-targeting drugs. We also review the rationale for combining inhibitors of the adenosine pathway with other anticancer therapies such immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccines, chemotherapy and adoptive T cell therapy.

Citing Articles

CD39 Contributes to the Ability of Cell Invasion in Heterogeneity of Colorectal Cancer.

Li X, Shen Y, Lang J, Wu J, Qian Z, Shen G J Cell Mol Med. 2025; 29(5):e70486.

PMID: 40052646 PMC: 11886887. DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.70486.

Current Understanding of the Role of Adenosine Receptors in Cancer.

Venugopala K, Buccioni M Molecules. 2024; 29(15).

PMID: 39124905 PMC: 11313767. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29153501.

Balancing G protein selectivity and efficacy in the adenosine A receptor.

Picard L, Orazietti A, Tran D, Tucs A, Hagimoto S, Qi Z Nat Chem Biol. 2024; 21(1):71-79.

PMID: 39085516 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01682-6.

A adenosine receptor signaling and regulation.

Gao Z, Haddad M, Jacobson K Purinergic Signal. 2024; .

PMID: 38833181 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10025-y.

Understanding the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma: mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives.

Lin H, Liu C, Hu A, Zhang D, Yang H, Mao Y J Hematol Oncol. 2024; 17(1):31.

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