Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 6: A double-edged sword in cancer prognosis and therapy

Malignant diseases in both children and adults are a worldwide public health priority with a high socioeconomic burden. Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 6 (ENTPD6) molecule exhibits divergent expression patterns across different cancers. Its increased expression in some tumors may allow them to escape anti-tumor immune responses, potentially by inducing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and favoring a poorer prognosis. Conversely, <i>in vivo</i>, a mutated ENTPD6 gene may induce effective cytotoxic T cell responses, thereby reducing liver tumor size. Additionally, low expression of ENTPD6 has been related to chemotherapy resistance, whereas specific ENTPD6-derived neoepitopes may potentially enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. This paper analyses the dual roles and clinical utility of ENTPD6 in cancer.