Work

Targeting adenosine in cancer immunotherapy: a review of recent progress

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The adenosine pathway plays a key role in modulating immune responses in health and in disease. In health, anti-inflammatory effects of adenosine balance pro-inflammatory ATP, limiting tissue destruction by activated immune cells. In disease, this balance is disturbed. Areas covered: This review focuses on cancer and explains how in the microenvironment, the ATP-adenosine balance shifts towards an excess of extracellular adenosine Expert commentary: The CD73-adenosine axis plays a key role in the inhibition of anti-tumor functions of immune effector cells. Today, adenosine emerges as one of the immune checkpoints that are implicated in the tumor escape from the host immune system. The adenosine pathway is currently viewed as a significant barrier to the effectiveness of immune therapies and becomes an important therapeutic target in cancer. Pharmacologic inhibitors or antibodies specific for the components of the adenosine pathways or adenosine receptors show efficacy in pre-clinical studies and are entering the clinical arena.

Source: Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy

DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2017.1316197

Author: Theresa L Whiteside

Institution: University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute