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Shan L, Gong M, Zhai D, Meng X, Liu J, Lv X. Research progress of CD73-adenosine signaling regulating hepatocellular carcinoma through tumor microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2025; 44:161. [PMID: 40420185 PMCID: PMC12105175 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-025-03416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2025] [Accepted: 05/10/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Adenosine signaling pathway is a kind of signal regulation hub widely existing in human body, which is involved in a series of physiological processes such as energy supply of body cells. CD73 is a highly concerned signaling protein in purine adenosine pathway, and its role in tumor development and prognosis has been paid more and more attention in recent years, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this paper, the specific mechanism by which CD73-adenosine signaling regulates tumor microenvironment (TME) of liver cancer tumors was analyzed in detail, highlighting the importance of this pathway as a therapeutic target to combat tumor immunosuppression and enhance the anti-tumor immune response to prevent and treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, a variety of current targeted therapeutic strategies for adenosine metabolic pathways are summarized, including the development of new drugs in the stage of preclinical research and clinical trials, and the mechanism of action, implementation possibility, and clinical effects of these therapies are discussed. By summarizing the latest scientific research results, in this review, we attempt to paint a panorama of the mechanism of adenosine action in tumor immunotherapy, with the aim to provide a solid theoretical basis and practical guidance for subsequent research and clinical application, ultimately promoting the development of more accurate and efficient tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei (Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China
| | - Mingxu Gong
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China
| | - Dandan Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei (Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Xiangyun Meng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei (Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei (Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University), Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China.
| | - Xiongwen Lv
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.
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Yang Y, Zhu L, Xu Y, Liang L, Liu L, Chen X, Li H, Liu H. The progress and prospects of targeting the adenosine pathway in cancer immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2025; 13:75. [PMID: 40390144 PMCID: PMC12090549 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-025-00784-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2025] [Accepted: 04/26/2025] [Indexed: 05/21/2025] Open
Abstract
Despite the notable success of cancer immunotherapy, its effectiveness is often limited in a significant proportion of patients, highlighting the need to explore alternative tumor immune evasion mechanisms. Adenosine, a key metabolite accumulating in hypoxic tumor regions, has emerged as a promising target in oncology. Inhibiting the adenosinergic pathway not only inhibits tumor progression but also holds potential to enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Multiple therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway are being explored, ranging from preclinical studies to clinical trials. This review examines the complex interactions between adenosine, its receptors, and the tumor microenvironment, proposing strategies to target the adenosinergic axis to boost anti-tumor immunity. It also evaluates early clinical data on pharmacological inhibitors of the adenosinergic pathway and discusses future directions for improving clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yantao Xu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Long Liang
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Li Liu
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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