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The crossroads of adenosinergic pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer

Isabele Cristiana Iser1, Samlai Vedovatto2, Fernanda Dittrich Oliveira2

  • 1Department of Basics Health Sciences and Laboratory of Cell Biology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|July 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) links to cancer progression. The adenosinergic pathway, involving CD73, influences EMT, offering potential new therapeutic targets for various cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, therapy resistance, and poor prognosis.
  • Targeting EMT and its associated molecules presents a significant challenge in cancer treatment.
  • The CD73 enzyme's role in adenosine production and extracellular matrix interaction links it to EMT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the crosstalk between the adenosinergic pathway and the EMT program.
  • To explore the impact of this interrelation on cancer development and progression.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies based on this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • In silico analysis of RNAseq datasets.
  • Correlation analysis between EMT scores and gene expression (NT5E/CD73, ENTPD1/CD39).
  • Literature review of the adenosinergic pathway and EMT.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlations found between EMT scores and CD73/CD39 expression in various tumor types.
  • Prostate adenocarcinoma showed the strongest correlations.
  • The interplay between EMT and the adenosinergic pathway is tumor- and context-dependent.

Conclusions:

  • The adenosinergic pathway, particularly CD73, is closely intertwined with EMT in cancer.
  • Understanding this crosstalk provides new avenues for cancer therapy development.
  • Further research into this relationship can lead to novel treatment strategies for diverse cancers.
Keywords:
AdenosineCD39CD73CancerEpithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)Purinergic signaling

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