Overexpression of CD39 and high tumoral CD39⁺/CD8⁺ ratio are associated with adverse prognosis in resectable gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT

CD39/ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (ENTPD1) is a cell surface-located, rate-limiting enzyme in the generation of adenosine, and plays a crucial role in tumor development. We examined co-expression of CD39 and CD8in gastric cancer (GC) and showed that the expression of CD39 and CD8 increased significantly in tumor tissues compared to paired peritumor tissues. The expression of tumoral CD39 (tCD39), but not tumoral CD8 (tCD8), was related to overall survival. Furthermore, the CD39(+)/CD8(+) ratio was associated with poor prognosis in resected GC patients. Taken together, our data indicate that highCD39 expression and high tCD39(+)/CD8(+) ratio in GC is a predictor of poor prognosis for GC patients after radical resection. Moreover, CD39 could serve as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.