Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies

Glial-origin brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas (GBMs), are known for their devastating prognosis and are characterized by rapid progression and fatal outcomes. Despite advances in surgical resection, complete removal of the tumor remains unattainable, with residual cells driving recurrence th...

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Main Authors: Martina Bedeschi, Elena Cavassi, Antonino Romeo, Anna Tesei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/385
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author Martina Bedeschi
Elena Cavassi
Antonino Romeo
Anna Tesei
author_facet Martina Bedeschi
Elena Cavassi
Antonino Romeo
Anna Tesei
author_sort Martina Bedeschi
collection DOAJ
description Glial-origin brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas (GBMs), are known for their devastating prognosis and are characterized by rapid progression and fatal outcomes. Despite advances in surgical resection, complete removal of the tumor remains unattainable, with residual cells driving recurrence that is resistant to conventional therapies. The GBM tumor microenviroment (TME) significantly impacts tumor progression and treatment response. In this review, we explore the emerging role of purinergic signaling, especially the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Due to its unique characteristics, it plays a key role in tumor progression and offers a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM through TME modulation. We discuss also the emerging role of the P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) as a promising therapeutic target. Overall, targeting purinergic signaling offers a potential approach to overcoming current GBM treatment limitations.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Pharmaceuticals
spelling doaj-art-875972a26b4c47a6bc2cd31704d24d5d2025-08-20T01:49:01ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-03-0118338510.3390/ph18030385Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel TherapiesMartina Bedeschi0Elena Cavassi1Antonino Romeo2Anna Tesei3Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, ItalyBiosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, ItalyRadiation Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, ItalyBiosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, ItalyGlial-origin brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas (GBMs), are known for their devastating prognosis and are characterized by rapid progression and fatal outcomes. Despite advances in surgical resection, complete removal of the tumor remains unattainable, with residual cells driving recurrence that is resistant to conventional therapies. The GBM tumor microenviroment (TME) significantly impacts tumor progression and treatment response. In this review, we explore the emerging role of purinergic signaling, especially the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Due to its unique characteristics, it plays a key role in tumor progression and offers a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM through TME modulation. We discuss also the emerging role of the P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) as a promising therapeutic target. Overall, targeting purinergic signaling offers a potential approach to overcoming current GBM treatment limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/385purinergic receptorsglioblastomatumor microenvironmentP2X7RP2X4Rpurinergic antagonists
spellingShingle Martina Bedeschi
Elena Cavassi
Antonino Romeo
Anna Tesei
Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
Pharmaceuticals
purinergic receptors
glioblastoma
tumor microenvironment
P2X7R
P2X4R
purinergic antagonists
title Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
title_full Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
title_fullStr Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
title_full_unstemmed Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
title_short Glioblastoma Tumor Microenvironment and Purinergic Signaling: Implications for Novel Therapies
title_sort glioblastoma tumor microenvironment and purinergic signaling implications for novel therapies
topic purinergic receptors
glioblastoma
tumor microenvironment
P2X7R
P2X4R
purinergic antagonists
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/385
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AT antoninoromeo glioblastomatumormicroenvironmentandpurinergicsignalingimplicationsfornoveltherapies
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