bims-exocan 2025-05-11 papers

Issue of 2025–05–11
three papers selected by
Muhammad Rizwan, COMSATS University

Int Immunopharmacol. 2025 May 06. pii: S1567-5769(25)00772-6. [Epub ahead of print]157 114782

A review of the role of tumor-derived exosomes in cancers treatment and progression.

Wajida Ataallah Khidr, Karar H Alfarttoosi, Waam Mohammed Taher, Mariem Alwan, Ali M Ali Al-Nuaimi, Mahmood Jasem Jawad.

Tumor cells (TCs) produce exosomes (EXOs), nanovesicles formed in endosomes. Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) are tiny, bubble-shaped structures formed by TCs that include microRNAs (miRNA), proteins, enzymes, and copies of DNA and RNA. Many different kinds of cancer rely on TDEs. For instance, TDEs play a large role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and promote tumor spread via many pathways. Furthermore, TDEs impact the efficacy of cancer treatments. Additionally, because of their low immunogenicity, high biocompatibility, and low toxicity, TDEs have been extensively used as drug delivery vehicles for cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, future cancer treatments may benefit from focusing on both the therapeutic function and the tumorigenic pathways of TDEs. Consequently, in this work, we have examined the roles of TDEs in cancer development, such as tumor angiogenesis, immune system evasion, and tumor metastasis. Then, we reviewed TDEs used to transport anticancer medicines, including chemotherapeutic medications, therapeutic compounds (including miRNA), and anticancer nanoparticles. We have concluded by outlining the challenges of clinical translation, including carcinogenicity and medication resistance, and by offering some suggestions for addressing these issues.

Keywords: Cancers; Drug delivery systems; Metastasis; Tumor-derived exosomes; Tumorigenesis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114782

Cancer Med. 2025 May;14(9): e70941

Role of Exosome in Solid Cancer Progression and Its Potential Therapeutics in Cancer Treatment.

Nada Aakel, Rawdhah Mohammed, Assela Fathima, Rabia Kerzabi, Atiyeh Abdallah, Wisam Nabeel Ibrahim.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles ranging from 40 to 100 nm in diameter that mediate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other metabolites. In the context of cancer, exosomes influence the tumor microenvironment by carrying regulatory RNAs such as miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA. They originate from various cells, including adipocytes, fibroblasts, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and can either promote or inhibit cancer progression through pathways like MAPK and PI3K-Akt.
AIM: This review aims to explore the role of exosomes in the progression of solid cancers, emphasizing their self-induced activation mechanisms and how they modulate tumor behavior.
METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive review of recent literature was conducted, focusing on studies that investigated the biological functions of exosomes in solid tumor progression, including their molecular cargo, cellular origin, and involvement in signaling pathways.
RESULTS: Findings from multiple studies indicate that cancer-derived exosomes contribute to tumor proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance by enhancing communication within the tumor microenvironment. These vesicles activate oncogenic pathways and can serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets due to their role in disease modulation.
CONCLUSION: Exosomes play a pivotal role in solid cancer progression and offer significant potential in advancing our understanding of tumor biology. Their capacity to influence key signaling pathways and facilitate intercellular communication makes them promising candidates for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: cancer biology; cancer progression; exosomes; extracellular vesicles; molecular signaling; solid tumors; therapeutic targets; tumor microenvironment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70941

Arab J Gastroenterol. 2025 May 05. pii: S1687-1979(25)00012-7. [Epub ahead of print]

Mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes as Nanodrug carrier of doxorubicin combined with PVT1 siRNA inhibits the progression of gastric cancer.

Deliang Ouyang, Haibin Li, Kang Luo, Mingming Huang, Song Yan, Li Zhou.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have been used as drug delivery vehicles for the treatment of gastric cancer. This study aimed to explore the effects of doxorubicin-loaded exosomes (Exo-Dox) combined with the long noncoding RNA PVT1 on gastric cancer (GC) development.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: CCK-8 and immunohistochemistry were used to assess cell proliferation. The morphology and size of the exosomes and Exo-Dox were determined. The distribution of free Exos and Exo-Dox in cells was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Cell migration and invasive ability were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. In addition, the protective effects of Exo-Dox were confirmed in a xenograft tumor model.
RESULTS: Exosomes were successfully isolated from MSCs and identified. The size of Exo-Dox was greater than that of free Exos. The acidic environment promoted the release of doxorubicin, and exosomes promoted the cellular uptake of doxorubicin. Compared with doxorubicin alone, Exo-Dox exhibited better antitumor effects on gastric cancer, inhibiting the growth, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, combined therapy of Exo-Dox with si-PVT1 clearly suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of gastric cancer cells. Exo-Dox combined with si-PVT1 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in a xenograft model.
CONCLUSION: Doxorubicin-loaded exosomes combined with si-PVT1 suppressed the progression of GC.

Keywords: Doxorubicin-loaded exosomes; Gastric cancer; PVT1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajg.2025.01.012