Highlight Article: P2RX7 functions as a putative biomarker of gastric cancer and contributes to worse prognosis.

The mechanism of gastric cancer is highly complex, accompanied by a variety of genetic abnormalities. It is of great significance to elucidate the pathogenesis of gastric cancer, find its markers and therapeutic targets in the fight against this fatal disease. In this study, we identified P2RX7 as a putative target of gastric cancer, which was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and had relationship with worse prognosis. We also elucidated the roles of P2RX7 on the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer cells, and explored the relationship between it and ERK1/2 pathway, Akt pathway, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our findings begin to offer useful insights into the mechanism of gastric cancer progression and provide clues to novel therapy strategies.