Role of the P2X7 receptor in tumor-associated inflammation

Inflammation is constantly associated to cancer. Malignant tumors often develop at sites of chronic inflammation, and inflammation promotes tumor progression. But, at the same time, inflammation is crucial for anti-tumor immune response. Many factors are responsible for this ‘Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde’ roles of inflammation, among which one that is attracting increasing attention is the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). This receptor is expressed by most malignant tumors and widely diffused in innate and adaptive immune cells, where it supports proliferation, chemotaxis, growth factor, and cytokine release. P2X7R-targeting may offer novel avenues for anti-cancer therapeutic intervention, but might also impair host anti-tumor responses. This short review highlights recent findings on the dual role of the P2X7R in cancer-associated inflammation.