P2Y2 Receptor Functions in Cancer: A Perspective in the Context of Colorectal Cancer

Purinergic signaling has recently emerged as a network of signaling molecules, enzymes and receptors that coordinates the action and behavior of cancerous cells. Extracellular adenosine 50 triphosphate activates a plethora of P2 nucleotide receptors that can putatively modulate cancer cell proliferation, survival and dissemination. In this context, the G protein-coupled P2Y(2) receptor was identified as one of the entities coordinating the cellular and molecular events that characterize cancerous cells. In this chapter, we will look at the contribution of the P2Y(2) receptor in cancer outcomes and use this information to demonstrate that the P2Y(2) receptor represents a drug target of interest in the setting of colorectal cancer, for which the role and function of this receptor is poorly defined. More particularly, we will review how the P2Y(2) receptor modulates cancer cell proliferation and survival, while promoting cell dissemination and formation of metastases. Finally, we will investigate how the P2Y(2) receptor can contribute to the detrimental development of drug resistance that is often observed in cancerous cells.