bims-exocan Biomed News
on Exosomes roles in cancer
Issue of 2025–04–20
six papers selected by
Muhammad Rizwan, COMSATS University
  1. Exosome-based approaches in cancer along with unlocking new insights into regeneration of cancer-prone tissues.
  2. Exploring the Interaction of Tumor-Derived Exosomes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tumor Biology.
  3. Harnessing exosomes for targeted drug delivery systems to combat brain cancer.
  4. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles: Precision miRNA delivery for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.
  5. Blockade of Exosome Release Sensitizes Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin via Inhibiting Angiogenesis.
  6. Exosomal biomarkers: A novel frontier in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.
  1. Regen Ther. 2025 Jun;29 202-216
    Exosome-based approaches in cancer along with unlocking new insights into regeneration of cancer-prone tissues.
    Mohsen Safaei, Seyedeh Somayeh Rajabi, Mahtab Tirgar, Najmeh Namdar, Mahsa Dalfardi, Farnia Mohammadifar, Arash Goodarzi, Ahmad Reza Farmani, Vahid Ramezani, Zahra Abpeikar.
      Most eukaryotic cells secrete extracellular vesicles called exosomes, which are involved in intercellular communication. Exosomes play a role in tumor development and metastasis by transporting bioactive chemicals from cancerous cells to other cells in local and distant microenvironments. However, the potential of exosomes can be used by engineering them and considering different therapeutic approaches to overcome tumors. Exosomes are a promising drug delivery approach that can help decrease side effects from traditional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy by acting as targeted agents at the tumor site. The present review provides an overview of exosomes and various aspects of the role of exosomes in cancer development, which include these items: exosomes in cancer diagnosis, exosomes and drug delivery, exosomes and drug resistance, exosomal microRNAs and exosomes in tumor microenvironment, etc. Cancer stem cells release exosomes that nurture tumors, promoting unwanted growth and regeneration, and these types of exosomes should be inhibited. Ironically, exosomes from other cells, such as hepatocytes or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are vital for healing organs like the liver and repairing gastric ulcers. Without proper treatment, this healing process can backfire, potentially leading to disease progression or even cancer. What can be found from various studies about the role of exosomes in the field of cancer is that exosomes act like a double-edged sword; on the other hand, natural exosomes in the body may play an important role in the process and progression of cancer, but by engineering exosomes, they can be directed towards target therapy and targeted delivery of drugs to tumor cells. By examining the role and application of exosomes in various mechanisms of cancer, it is possible to help treat this disease more efficiently and quickly in preclinical and clinical research.
    Keywords:  Cancer; Diagnosis; Drug delivery; Exosomal microRNAs; Exosome; Tissue regeneration; Tumor microenvironment
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reth.2025.03.005
  2. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 27. pii: 3095. [Epub ahead of print]26(7):
    Exploring the Interaction of Tumor-Derived Exosomes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tumor Biology.
    Konstantinos S Papadopoulos, Penelope Korkolopoulou, Christina Piperi.
      Exosomes are actively produced extracellular vesicles, released from different cell types, that exert important regulatory roles in vital cellular functions. Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) have received increasing attention because they enable intercellular communication between the neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells present in the microenvironment of tumors, affecting important functions of different types of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the ability to self-renew and differentiate. MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) carry a variety of bioactive molecules that can interact with specific cellular targets and signaling pathways, influencing critical processes in tumor biology, and exhibiting properties that either promote or inhibit tumor progression. They can regulate the tumor microenvironment by modulating immune responses, enhancing or suppressing angiogenesis, and facilitating tumor cells' communication with distant sites, thus altering the behavior of non-cancerous cells present in the microenvironment. Herein, we explore the main functions of TDEs and their intricate interactions with MSC-exos, in terms of enhancing cancer progression, as well as their promising clinical applications as tumor microenvironment modulators.
    Keywords:  TME; adipose-derived stem cells; angiogenesis; cancer; immune response; mesenchymal stem cells; tumor-derived exosomes
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073095
  3. Cancer Cell Int. 2025 Apr 15. 25(1): 150
    Harnessing exosomes for targeted drug delivery systems to combat brain cancer.
    Abdullah E Basyoni, Amira Atta, Maha M Salem, Tarek M Mohamed.
      Brain cancer remains a significant challenge in the field of oncology, primarily because of its aggressive nature and the limited treatment options available. Conventional therapies often fall short in effectively targeting tumor cells, while sparing healthy brain tissue from collateral damage. However, exosomes are now recognized as promising nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. These naturally occurring extracellular vesicles can cross the blood-brain barrier and selectively interact with cancer cells. Utilizing exosomes as drug delivery vehicles offers a novel approach with significant potential for targeted therapy. By encapsulating therapeutic agents within exosomes, drugs can be specifically targeted to tumor cells, maximizing their impact whilst minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue. Furthermore, exosomes can be modified to display molecules that specifically recognize and bind to cancer cells, further enhancing their precision and efficacy. While exosome-based therapies show potential, scalability, purification, and clinical application challenges remain. The scalability of exosome production, purification, and modification techniques remains a hurdle that must be overcome for clinical translation. Additionally, the intricate interactions between the tumor microenvironment and exosomes necessitate further research to optimize therapeutic outcomes. The review explores applications and future perspectives of exosome-based therapies in advancing targeted brain cancer treatment.
    Keywords:  Brain cancer; Exosomes; Nanocarriers; Targeted drug delivery
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-025-03731-z
  4. Regen Ther. 2025 Jun;29 303-318
    MSC-derived extracellular vesicles: Precision miRNA delivery for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.
    Ahsas Goyal, Muhammad Afzal, Kavita Goyal, Subbulakshmi Ganesan, Mukesh Kumari, S Sunitha, Aniruddh Dash, Suman Saini, Mohit Rana, Gaurav Gupta, Haider Ali, Ling Shing Wong, Vinoth Kumarasamy, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan.
      Cancer remains a prominent worldwide health concern, presenting existing therapies with frequent difficulties, including major toxicity, limited effectiveness, and treatment resistance emergence. These issues highlight the necessity for novel and enhanced remedies. Exosomes, tiny extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication, have attracted interest for their potential medicinal applications. Carrying a variety of molecules, including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, proteins, lipids, and DNA, these vesicles are positioned as promising cancer treatment options. Current studies have increasingly investigated the capacity of microRNAs as a strategic approach for combating malignancy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are recognized for their aptitude to augment blood vessel formation, safeguard against cellular death, and modulate immune responses. Consequently, researchers examine exosomes derived from MSCs as a safer, non-cellular choice over therapies employing MSCs, which risk undesirable differentiation. The focus is shifting towards employing miRNA-encapsulated exosomes sourced from MSCs to target and heal cancerous cells selectively. However, the exact functions of miRNAs within MSC-derived exosomes in the context of cancer are still not fully understood. Additional exploration is necessary to clarify the role of these miRNAs in malignancy progression and to pinpoint viable therapeutic targets. This review offers a comprehensive examination of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells, focusing on the encapsulation of miRNAs, methods for enhancing cellular uptake and stability, and their potential applications in cancer treatment. It also addresses the difficulties linked to this methodology and considers future avenues, including insights from current clinical oncology research.
    Keywords:  Cancer therapy; Extracellular vesicles; Mesenchymal stem cells; MicroRNA delivery; Targeted therapy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reth.2025.03.006
  5. Cancer Med. 2025 Apr;14(8): e70785
    Blockade of Exosome Release Sensitizes Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin via Inhibiting Angiogenesis.
    Jindi He, Fengyi He, Qinlian Yang, Qiuyun Li.
       BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy combined with angiogenesis inhibition holds great promise in improving the therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of exosome blockade on tumor angiogenesis and chemotherapy efficacy.
    METHODS: Exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation, and the effect of exosomes on angiogenesis was evaluated by 4T1 mouse breast cancer cell line and the syngeneic mouse tumor model and immunofluorescence. The endocytosis of exosomes from vascular endothelial cells was evaluated in vitro by co-culture and immunofluorescence assays. Tube formation and CCK-8 assays were used to evaluate the effect of exosomes on angiogenesis in vitro. The effect of exosome blockade on the efficacy of doxorubicin was evaluated by 4T1 mouse breast cancer model, cancer cell-derived exosomes (Exo4T1), GW4869 and doxorubicin in vivo.
    RESULTS: Exo4T1 can be efficiently endocytosed by vascular endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. Within the recipient endothelial cells, Exo4T1 elicited angiogenesis at least partially via promoting cell proliferation, as the exosomes were carrying cargos with pro-proliferation capacity. Blockade of exosome release through GW4869 significantly inhibited angiogenesis, increased the concentration of doxorubicin within the tumor, and sensitized the tumor to doxorubicin in the murine 4T1 syngeneic model, whereas the therapeutic effects were abrogated when Exo4T1 was additionally treated. Moreover, we found there was no synergy between GW4869 and pazopanib (PP, a traditional angiogenesis inhibitor).
    CONCLUSIONS: Together, we here revealed that cancer-derived exosomes promote angiogenesis during cancer progression and GW4869 treatment would sensitize the cancer cells to doxorubicin at least partially via inhibiting angiogenesis.
    Keywords:  Adriamycin; GW4869; angiogenesis; breast cancer; exosome
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70785
  6. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2025 Apr 15. 17(4): 103591
    Exosomal biomarkers: A novel frontier in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.
    Yuan Zhang, Ning-Ning Yue, Li-Yu Chen, Cheng-Mei Tian, Jun Yao, Li-Sheng Wang, Yu-Jie Liang, Dao-Ru Wei, Hua-Lin Ma, De-Feng Li.
      Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which predominantly manifest in the stomach, colorectum, liver, esophagus, and pancreas, accounting for approximately 35% of global cancer-related mortality. The advent of liquid biopsy has introduced a pivotal diagnostic modality for the early identification of premalignant GI lesions and incipient cancers. This non-invasive technique not only facilitates prompt therapeutic intervention, but also serves as a critical adjunct in prognosticating the likelihood of tumor recurrence. The wealth of circulating exosomes present in body fluids is often enriched with proteins, lipids, microRNAs, and other RNAs derived from tumor cells. These specific cargo components are reflective of processes involved in GI tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and response to treatment. As such, they represent a group of promising biomarkers for aiding in the diagnosis of GI cancer. In this review, we delivered an exhaustive overview of the composition of exosomes and the pathways for cargo sorting within these vesicles. We laid out some of the clinical evidence that supported the utilization of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers for GI cancers and discussed their potential for clinical application. Furthermore, we addressed the challenges encountered when harnessing exosomes as diagnostic and predictive instruments in the realm of GI cancers.
    Keywords:  Biomarkers; Exosomal cargo; Exosomes; Gastrointestinal malignancies; Gastrointestinal tumor diagnosis; Liquid biopsy
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.4251/wjgo.v17.i4.103591
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