High amounts of adenosine are released in the tumor mass. Depending on the levels of adenosine, as well as on the receptor subtypes that are expressed by immune cells, adenosine can affect tumor growth in different fashions. Specifically targeting CD73, the rate-limiting enzyme for the extracellular generation of adenosine, or the A3 receptor offers new therapeutic strategies to limit tumor progression.
Keywords: ATP; CD73; adenosine; adenosine receptors; tumor immunity.