Adenosine signaling: Next checkpoint for gastric cancer immunotherapy?

Int Immunopharmacol. 2018 Oct:63:58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.07.023. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Abstract

Adenosine (ADO), generated by the ectonucleotidase CD39 and CD73 from ATP, interacts with its specific G protein-coupled receptors, which can impair anti-tumor immune responses inhibiting the infiltration and function of CD8+ T cell and natural killer cell. Recent studies have also identified that ADO pathway plays a critical role in tumor immune surveillance, especially for some non-solid cancers. In addition, although immune checkpoint therapy targeting ADO pathway in gastric cancer is still in an early phase, encouraging results have come out from some drugs targeting ADO pathway. Therefore, target ADO signaling may be a new promising strategy to treat gastric cancer. In this review, we summarized recent works on the role of ADO in cancer immunotherapy and also discussed relative mechanisms underlying the function of ADO signaling in cancer immune responses.

Keywords: A2aR signaling; Adenosine; gastric cancer; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5'-Nucleotidase / metabolism
  • Adenosine / immunology*
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Apyrase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Receptors, Purinergic P1 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stomach Neoplasms / immunology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Receptors, Purinergic P1
  • 5'-Nucleotidase
  • Apyrase
  • CD39 antigen
  • Adenosine