Potential of Adora2b as an immunotherapeutic target for gastric cancer

Jie Li1,2, Ruixin Shi1,2, Xinyao Zhang1,2

  • 1Inner Mongolia Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Hohhot, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|December 5, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the Adora2b receptor in gastric cancer (GC) may offer a new therapeutic strategy. Blocking Adora2b can potentially reduce tumor cell migration and invasion, impacting cancer progression within the tumor microenvironment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Gastric cancer (GC) presents as heterogeneous tumors influenced by genetic factors, hypoxia, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Hypoxia promotes adenosine accumulation, activating the Adora2b receptor, which impairs anti-tumor immunity and facilitates metastasis.
  • Adora2b, upregulated in GC tissues, is expressed on immune cells and tumor stroma, contributing to immune evasion, fibrosis, and vascular remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cell-specific signaling mechanisms of Adora2b within the TME.
  • To explore the tissue-specific functions of Adora2b by referencing research from other tumor types.
  • To investigate Adora2b's role in GC progression, particularly epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on Adora2b signaling in the TME.
  • Analysis of Adora2b expression patterns in normal versus diseased gastric tissues.
  • Examination of Adora2b's downstream effects, including EMT regulation via the cAMP/PKA/Snail pathway.

Main Results:

  • Adora2b is significantly upregulated in GC and expressed across various immune cells and stromal components.
  • Adora2b signaling is implicated in immune escape, fibrosis, and vascular remodeling within the TME.
  • Adora2b regulates EMT in GC cells through the cAMP/PKA/Snail pathway, influencing migration and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting Adora2b presents a promising therapeutic avenue for gastric cancer.
  • Inhibition of Adora2b has demonstrated potential in preclinical models to reduce GC cell migration and invasion.
  • Understanding Adora2b's role offers new insights for developing novel gastric cancer treatments.

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