CD73 promotes tumor growth and metastasis

Evading immune destruction has recently emerged as one of the hallmarks of cancer. 1 The identification of multiple mechanisms of tumor-induced immune evasion provides an array of novel targets for new cancer therapies. 2 Given the well-established immune effects of CD39/CD73 and the A(2A) adenosine receptor (A(2A)R) on cancer growth and metastasis, the phosphohydrolysis of extracellular ATP to adenosine can now be viewed as one of the most important immunosuppressive regulatory pathways in the tumor microenvironment. The focus of this review is to specifically discuss the newly available experimental evidence demonstrating a pivotal role of tumor and host CD73-mediated adenosinergic effects on tumor growth and metastasis.