Emerging roles of P2X receptors in cancer
Elena Adinolfi, Marina Capece, Francesca Amoroso
1Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Biology, University of Ferrara, via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy. elena.adinolfi@unife.it.
Abstract:
Tumor microenvironment composition strongly conditions cancer growth and progression, acting not only at cancer itself but also modifying its interactions with immune, endothelial and nervous cells. Extracellular ATP and its receptors recently gained increasing attention in the oncological field. ATP accumulates in cancer milieu through spontaneous release, tumor necrosis or chemotherapy exerting a trophic activity on cancer cells, modulating the cross talk among tumor, and surrounding tissues. Accordingly, ATP gated P2X receptors emerged as central players in tumor development, invasion, progression and related symptoms. Indeed, P2X receptors are expressed and are functional not only on tumor cells but also in immune-infiltrate and nearby neurons. In this review, we summarize recent findings on P2X receptors role in tumor cell differentiation, bioenergetics, angiogenesis, metastasis and associated pain, giving an outline of the potential anti-neoplastic activity of receptor agonists and antagonists.
Insights
Extracellular ATP and its P2X receptors are crucial in cancer progression. Targeting these receptors offers potential new anti-cancer therapies by modulating tumor cell behavior and interactions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment significantly influences cancer growth and progression.
- Extracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and its receptors are increasingly recognized for their roles in oncology.
- ATP accumulation in tumors affects cancer cells and their interactions with surrounding tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the role of P2X receptors in cancer.
- To explore the involvement of P2X receptors in tumor cell differentiation, bioenergetics, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cancer pain.
- To outline the potential of P2X receptor agonists and antagonists as anti-neoplastic agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific findings.
- Summarization of research on P2X receptor expression and function in tumor cells, immune cells, and neurons.
- Analysis of P2X receptor involvement in various aspects of cancer biology and symptomology.
Main Results:
- P2X receptors are expressed and functional on tumor cells, immune infiltrates, and neurons.
- These receptors play central roles in tumor development, invasion, progression, and associated symptoms like pain.
- Extracellular ATP influences cancer cell differentiation, bioenergetics, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- P2X receptors are key mediators in the tumor microenvironment.
- Targeting P2X receptors presents a promising strategy for developing novel anti-cancer therapies.
- Further research into P2X receptor agonists and antagonists could lead to new treatments for cancer and its symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
01:25Selectins
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway