The dual roles of A20 in cancer

A20 is a prototypical anti-inflammatory molecule that is linked to multiple human diseases, including cancers. The role of A20 as a tumor suppressor was first discovered in B cell lymphomas. Subsequent studies revealed the dual roles of A20 in solid cancers. This review focuses on the roles of A20 in different cancer types to demonstrate that the effects of A20 are cancer type-dependent. A20 plays antitumor roles in colorectal carcinomas and hepatocellular carcinomas, whereas A20 acts as an oncogene in breast cancers, gastric cancers and melanomas. Moreover, the roles of A20 in the setting of glioma therapy are context-dependent. The action mechanisms of A20 in different types of cancer are summarized. Additionally, the role of A20 in antitumor immunity is discussed. Furthermore, some open questions in this rapidly advancing field are proposed. Exploration of the actions and molecular mechanisms of A20 in cancer paves the way for the application of A20-targeting approaches in future cancer therapy.