P2X receptors in cancer growth and progression.

P2X receptors in cancer growth and progression. Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Nov 27;:114350 Authors: Di Virgilio F, Vultaggio-Poma V, Sarti AC Abstract It is increasingly appreciated that ion channels have a crucial role in tumors, either as promoters of cancer cell growth, or modulators of immune cell functions, or both. Among ion channels, P2X receptors have a special status because they are gated by ATP, a common and abundant component of the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, one P2X receptor, i.e. P2X7, may also function as a conduit for ATP release, thus fuelling the increased extracellular ATP level in the tumor interstitium. These findings show that P2X receptors and extracellular ATP are indissoluble partners and key regulators of tumor growth, and suggest the exploitation of the extracellular ATP-P2X partnership to develop innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer. PMID: 33253643 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Biochemical Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Biochem Pharmacol Source Type: research