Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
15:24
Testing Cancer Immunotherapeutics in a Humanized Mouse Model Bearing Human Tumors
Published on: December 16, 2022
CD73-deficient mice are resistant to carcinogenesis
John Stagg1, Paul A Beavis, Upulie Divisekera
1Cancer Immunology Program, Trescowthick Laboratories, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. john.stagg@umontreal.ca
Cancer Research
|March 8, 2012
Summary
CD73 promotes cancer immune escape and tumor growth. Inhibiting CD73 with antibodies suppressed tumor development and metastasis, offering a new cancer treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD73 (Cluster of Differentiation 73) is an enzyme converting AMP to adenosine, a molecule that suppresses immune responses.
- CD73 may facilitate cancer immune escape by degrading extracellular ATP, particularly in tumors.
- The precise role of CD73 in cancer development (tumorigenesis) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CD73 in the formation and progression of primary tumors.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting CD73 in established cancers and metastasis.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying CD73's influence on anti-tumor immunity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetically modified mice lacking CD73 to study spontaneous tumor formation.
- Administered anti-CD73 monoclonal antibodies to mice with existing tumors and metastatic models.
- Assessed the impact of CD73 deficiency and antibody treatment on immune cell populations (IFN-γ, NK cells, CD8+ T cells) and tumor growth.
Main Results:
- CD73 deficiency significantly suppressed the development of fibrosarcomas and prostate tumors in mice.
- Anti-CD73 antibody treatment effectively inhibited the growth of established tumors and reduced lung metastasis.
- Therapeutic effects against primary tumors required CD8+ T cells, while anti-metastatic effects were independent of T cells and NK cells.
Conclusions:
- CD73 plays a critical role in promoting tumorigenesis and immune evasion.
- Targeting CD73 with monoclonal antibodies presents a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers.
- Anti-CD73 antibodies demonstrate potential for both primary tumor treatment and preventing cancer spread.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...