bims-exocan Biomed News
on Exosomes roles in cancer
Issue of 2023–07–23
nine papers selected by
Muhammad Rizwan, COMSATS University



  1. Mikrochim Acta. 2023 07 17. 190(8): 295
      The development and performance of a DNA probe adsorbing Mn2+-modified black phosphorus (BP@Mn2+/DNA) hybrid nanosensor is reported that enables rapid detection of cancer-derived exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and exosomes. This two-dimensional (2D) nanosensor can spontaneously penetrate the lipid bilayer of exosome membranes owing to its ultra-thin geometry. Subsequently, the adsorbed probe specifically hybridizes with the target miRNA and then dissociates from the nanosensor surface, generating fluorescent signals. Therefore, the BP@Mn2+/DNA nanosensor can differentiate between colorectal cancer (CRC) cell-derived exosomes and those derived from intestinal epithelial cells through sensing of exosomal miRNAs. Furthermore, when the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) aptamer is adsorbed onto BP@Mn2+ instead of the miRNA probe, the nanosensor is able to distinguish exosomes derived from the plasma of CRC patients from those of healthy controls by the recognition ability of the EpCAM aptamer. By utilizing this nanosensor, we were able to effectively differentiate cancer-derived exosomes through the direct detection of miRNA-21 within the exosomes, as well as the identification of specific exosomal membrane proteins. This nanosensor design paves the way for the development of rapid and efficient cancer-derived exosomal miRNA and exosome biosensing nanoplatforms.
    Keywords:  Aptamer; Black Phosphorus; Cancer diagnosis; Exosomal miRNAs; Exosomes; Fluorescence determination
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-05880-2
  2. Life Sci. 2023 Jul 15. pii: S0024-3205(23)00569-6. [Epub ahead of print] 121934
      Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that carry active substances (including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) and are essential for homeostasis and signal transmission. Recent studies have focused on the function of exosomal miRNAs in tumor progression. Researchers have expanded the use of exosomes and miRNAs as potential therapeutic tools and biomarkers to detect tumor progression. Immune cells, as an important part of the tumor microenvironment (TME), secrete a majority of exosome-derived miRNAs involved in the biological processes of malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Currently, there is no literature that systematically summarizes the communication of exosome-derived miRNAs between tumor cells and immune cells. Based on the cell specificity of exosome-derived miRNAs, this review provides the first comprehensive summary of the significant miRNAs from the standpoint of exosome sources, which are tumor cells and immune cells. Furthermore, we elaborated on the potential clinical applications of these miRNAs, attempting to propose existing difficulties and future possibilities in tumor diagnostics and therapy.
    Keywords:  Exosomal miRNAs; Immune cells; Potential therapy; Tumor microenvironment; Tumors
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121934
  3. J Cancer. 2023 ;14(10): 1736-1750
      Exosomes are a typical subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can be transmitted from parent cells to recipient cells via human bodily fluids. Exosomes perform a vital role in mediating intercellular communication by shuttling bioactive cargos, such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides without protein translation ability and can be selectively packaged into exosomes. Accumulating evidence indicates that exosomal lncRNAs have a critical role in tumor initiation and progression through regulating tumor proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, treatment resistance and tumor microenvironment. Increasing studies suggest that exosomal lncRNAs have great potential to be served as novel targets and non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this review, we provide an overview of current research on the disordered functions of exosomal lncRNAs in NSCLC and summarize their potential clinical applications as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
    Keywords:  NSCLC; biomarker; exosome; lncRNA; target
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.84506
  4. World J Methodol. 2023 Jun 20. 13(3): 46-58
      Despite the development of newer oncological treatment, the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) remains poor. Recent studies have identified exosomes as essential mediators of intercellular communications and play a vital role in tumor initiation, metastasis and chemoresistance. Thus, the utility of liquid biopsies using exosomes in PC management can be used for early detection, diagnosis, monitoring as well as drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. This review summarizes the function, and clinical applications of exosomes in cancers as minimally invasive liquid biomarker in diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic roles.
    Keywords:  Biomarker; Circulating biomarkers; Clinical applications; Exosomes; Liquid biopsy; Pancreatic cancer
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v13.i3.46
  5. Front Immunol. 2023 ;14 1200201
      Despite numerous improved treatment methods used in recent years, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a disease with a high mortality rate. Many recent studies have shown that immunotherapy has great potential for cancer treatment. Exosomes play a significant role in negatively regulating the immune system in HCC. Understanding how these exosomes play a role in innate and adaptive immunity in HCC can significantly improve the immunotherapeutic effects on HCC. Further, engineered exosomes can deliver different drugs and RNA molecules to regulate the immune microenvironment of HCC by regulating the aforementioned immune pathway, thereby significantly improving the mortality rate of HCC. This study aimed to declare the role of exosomes in the development of the immune microenvironment in HCC and list engineered exosomes that could be used for clinical transformation therapy. These findings might be beneficial for clinical patients.
    Keywords:  engineered exosome; exosome; hepatocellular carcinoma; immunotherapy; tumor immune microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200201
  6. Curr Mol Med. 2023 Jul 17.
      Exosomes are vesicles secreted by the plasma membrane of the cells delimited by a lipid bilayer membrane into the extracellular space of the cell. Their release is associated with the disposal mechanism to remove unwanted materials from the cells. Exosomes released from primary tumour sites migrate to other parts of the body to create a metastatic environment for spreading the tumour cells. We have reviewed that exosomes interfere with the tumour progression by (i) promoting angiogenesis, (ii) initiating metastasis, (iii) regulating tumour microenvironment (TME) and inflammation, (iv) modifying energy metabolism, and (v) transferring mutations. We have found that EVs play an important role in inducing tumour drug resistance against anticancer drugs. This review discusses the potential of exosomes to generate a significant therapeutic effect along with improved diagnosis, prognosis, insights on the various research conducted and their significant findings of our interest.
    Keywords:  cancer.; exosomes; metastasis; tumours
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2174/1566524023666230717105000
  7. Cancer J. 2023 Jul-Aug 01;29(4):29(4): 230-237
       ABSTRACT: The global incidence of human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has surged in recent decades, with HPV+ HNSCC accounting for >70% of oropharynx cancers in the United States. Its incidence in men has surpassed that of HPV+ cervical cancer in women, and reliable assays are needed for early detection and to monitor response to therapy. Human papillomavirus-positive OPSCC has a more favorable response to therapy and prognosis than HPV-negative (HPV-) HNSCC, motivating regimens to deintensify curative surgery or chemoradiotherapy protocols. A barrier to deintensifying and personalizing therapy is lack of reliable predictive biomarkers. Furthermore, HPV- HNSCC survival rates are static without reliable surveillance biomarkers available. The emergence of circulating plasma-based biomarkers reflecting the tumor-immune microenvironment heralds a new era in HNSCC diagnosis and therapy. We review evidence on tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (exosomes) as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment in HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/PPO.0000000000000671
  8. Cell Death Dis. 2023 Jul 20. 14(7): 451
      Exosomes contribute substantially to the communication between tumor cells and normal cells. Benefiting from the stable structure, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are believed to serve an important function in exosome-mediated intercellular communication. Here, we focused on circRNAs enriched in starvation-stressed hepatocytic exosomes and further investigated their function and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Differentially expressed circRNAs in exosomes were identified by RNA sequencing, and circTGFBR2 was identified and chosen for further study. The molecular mechanism of circTGFBR2 in HCC was demonstrated by RNA pulldown, RIP, dual-luciferase reporter assays, rescue experiments and tumor xenograft assay both in vitro and vivo. We confirmed exosomes with enriched circTGFBR2 led to an upregulated resistance of HCC cells to starvation stress. Mechanistically, circTGFBR2 delivered into HCC cells via exosomes serves as a competing endogenous RNA by binding miR-205-5p to facilitate ATG5 expression and enhance autophagy in HCC cells, resulting in resistance to starvation. Thus, we revealed that circTGFBR2 is a novel tumor promoter circRNA in hepatocytic exosomes and promotes HCC progression by enhancing ATG5-mediated protective autophagy via the circTGFBR2/miR-205-5p/ATG5 axis, which may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-023-05989-5
  9. Int J Stem Cell Res Ther. 2023 ;pii: 079. [Epub ahead of print]10(1):
      Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles that are released by various types of cells, including cancer cells, and play a role in intercellular communication. CD9 is a protein that is involved in cell signaling and adhesion. It is found on the surface of various cells, including cancer cells, and has been implicated in the communication between cancer cells and their microenvironment. Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles that are released by cells and contain various bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Exosomes have been shown to play a role in intercellular communication, and they have been implicated in the progression of cancer. There is evidence to suggest that CD9 is involved in the packaging and release of exosomes by cancer cells. CD9 has been shown to be important for the formation of tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs) on the surface of exosomes. These TEMs are thought to be important for the sorting and packaging of specific molecules into exosomes. In summary, CD9 appears to play an important role in the communication between cancer cells and their microenvironment via exosomes. The precise mechanisms by which CD9 mediates this communication are still being investigated, but the involvement of CD9 in exosome packaging and uptake suggests that it may be a promising target for the development of novel cancer therapies. Furthermore, CD9 has been shown to be involved in the uptake of exosomes by recipient cells. For example, studies have shown that CD9-positive exosomes released by cancer cells can be taken up by other cancer cells, leading to the transfer of oncogenic molecules and the promotion of cancer progression.
    Keywords:  Artificial intelligence; CD9; Cancer; Cell Communications and Signalling; Exosome; Exosomes; Metastasis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-570X/1410079