Abstract
Angiotensin‑converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is one of the components of the renin‑angiotensin system. The differential expression of ACE2 is associated with carcinogenesis. ACE2 expression is altered in certain types of tumor following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The present review aimed to summarize the role of ACE2 expression in the pathogenesis of tumors of the central nervous and endocrine system, respiratory tract, breast, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, skin and bone, as well as hematological malignancies. ACE2 should be further evaluated in the pathogenesis of various types of human tumor to determine its diagnostic and prognostic value. Additionally, the present review summarizes the potential of ACE2 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer. However, the role of ACE2 expression as a novel chemotherapeutic tool for various human malignancies remains to be fully elucidated.