Caffeine promotes anti-tumor immune response during tumor initiation: Involvement of the adenosine A2A receptor

Epidemiologic studies depict a negative correlation between caffeine consumption and incidence of tumors in humans. The main pharmacological effects of caffeine are mediated by antagonism of the adenosine receptor, A(2A)R. Here, we examine whether the targeting of A(2A)R by caffeine plays a role in anti-tumor immunity. In particular, the effects of caffeine are studied in wild-type and A(2A)R knockout (A(2A)R(-/-)) mice. Tumor induction was achieved using the carcinogen 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA). Alternatively, tumor cells, comprised of 3-MCA-induced transformed cells or B16 melanoma cells, were inoculated into animal footpads. Cytokine release was determined in a mixed lymphocyte tumor reaction (MLTR). According to our findings, caffeine-consuming mice (0.1% in water) developed tumors at a lower rate compared to water-consuming mice (14% vs. 53%, respectively, p = 0.0286, n = 15/group). Within the caffeine-consuming mice, tumor-free mice displayed signs of autoimmune alopecia and pronounced leukocyte recruitment intocarcinogen injection sites. Similarly, A(2A)R(-/-) mice exhibited reduced rates of 3-MCA-induced tumors. In tumor inoculation studies, caffeine treatment resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and elevation in proinflammatory cytokine release over water-consuming mice, as depicted by MLTR. Addition of the adenosine receptor agonist, NECA, to MLTR resulted in a sharp decrease in IFN gamma levels; this was reversed by the highly selective A(2A)R antagonist, ZM241385. Thus, immune response modulation through either caffeine or genetic deletion of A(2A)R leads to a Th1 immune profile and suppression of carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis. Taken together, our data suggest that the use of pharmacologic A(2A)R antagonists may hold therapeutic potential in diminishing the rate of cancer development. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.