bims-exocan 2025-09-14 papers

Issue of 2025–09–14
four papers selected by
Muhammad Rizwan, COMSATS University

Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2025 Sep 09. 44(3): 68

Integrins from extracellular vesicles as players in tumor microenvironment and metastasis.

Corina Ciobanasu, Christophe Le Clainche.

Integrins constitute a large and diverse family of cell adhesion molecules that play essential roles in regulating tumor cell differentiation, migration, proliferation, and neovascularization. Tumor cell-derived exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles, are enriched with integrins that reflect their cells of origin. These exosomal integrins can promote extracellular matrix remodeling, immune suppression, and vascular remodeling and are closely linked to tumor progression and metastasis, acting as pivotal players in mediating organ-specific metastasis. The present review aims to discuss recent insights into the role of integrins from extracellular vesicles in tumor cell initiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Beyond their functional roles in cancer progression, exosomal integrins hold relevant potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers due to their tissue-specific expression patterns. They also represent promising therapeutic targets for disrupting tumor-stroma interactions and preventing metastatic spread. As research into exosomal integrins continues to expand, they are likely to provide valuable insights into cancer biology and innovative strategies in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Cell migration; Exosomal integrins; Extracellular vesicles; Integrins; Tumor microenvironment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-025-10287-x

Indian J Clin Biochem. 2025 Oct;40(4): 599-609

Advancing NSCLC Diagnosis: The Role of Tumor-Derived Serum Exosomal SNORD60 as a Novel Biomarker.

Lin Li, Kangyu Wang, Ning Yuan, Qun Zhang, Xinmei Liang, Zhijun Zhang.

Due to the lack of efficient diagnosis techniques, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to be the main contributor to global death from cancer. Consequently, our research aims to identify reliable biomarkers for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by using serum exosomal short nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). Based on the databases, we selected SNORD60 and further verified it in 48 paired FFPE tissues. To define exosomes isolated from the serum, we conducted transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and qNano besides western blots. qRT-PCR helped further verify SNORD60 in exosomal serum from 132 NSCLC patients and 143 participants in good health. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was employed to estimate the diagnostic efficacy of SNORD60, both alone and in combination with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1). SNORD60 was significantly overexpressed in tissues and serum exosomes of NSCLC patients compared to those of good-health individuals. To evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostic biomarkers for NSCLC and its early stage, serum exosomal SNORD60 was found to have the ability to be a diagnostic biomarker, as well as CEA or CYFRA21-1 with an exosomal combination of SNORD60. The exosomal level of SNORD60 is significantly overexpressed in patients with NSCLC, which offers a promising diagnostic biomarker of NSCLC.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-024-01230-y.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Diagnostic; Exosomes; NSCLC; snoRNAs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-024-01230-y

Cancer Lett. 2025 Sep 06. pii: S0304-3835(25)00604-4. [Epub ahead of print]633 218034

Dendritic cells-derived extracellular vesicles in tumourigenesis: From biological roles to clinical implications.

Qingning Chen, Weiyuan Wang, Xiaoyun He, Chunrong Wang, Hongbin Guo, Chunlin Ou.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the tumour microenvironment (TME), where they orchestrate T cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity and can also be reprogrammed to promote the progression of tumours in the TME. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are very small and they are secreted by cells and wrapped in lipid bilayers that shuttle bioactive cargoes, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, to recipient cells, thereby influencing the progression of diseases, including cancer. DC-derived EVs (DC-EVs) play pivotal roles in the TME by mediating crosstalk with other immune and stromal cells to modulate inflammatory responses, angiogenesis, cell death, and immune evasion, thereby regulating the development and progression of tumours. In recent years, engineered DC-EVs have been widely used for cancer therapies, including cancer immunotherapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy. This review summarises the comprehensive roles of DC-EVs in tumourigenesis and the application of engineered DC-EVs in cancer therapy, potentially providing readers with a new theoretical basis for tumour-targeted therapy.

Keywords: Dendritic cells; Engineered; Extracellular vesicles; Immunotherapy; Tumour microenvironment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2025.218034

Clin Transl Oncol. 2025 Sep 12.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of circulating extracellular vesicles in gastrointestinal cancers.

Ankita Arora, Vinit Sharma, Anikait Kaushal, Anjali Aggarwal.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health burden, accounting for over one-third of cancer-related deaths globally. Regardless of advancements in treatment procedures, the high mortality rate underscores the crucial need for novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) appeared as fundamental facilitators of intercellular interaction, influencing gene expression as well as cellular function through the transfer of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. EVs play dual roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis under physiological conditions and driving tumorigenesis in pathological states. In GI cancers, EVs contribute to tumor progression by modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME), promoting angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune evasion, and metastasis. Moreover, EVs portray a vital role in creating pre-metastatic site, reprogramming immune cells, and facilitating therapeutic resistance through the transfer of resistance-associated molecules. The clinical potential of EVs extends to their utility as liquid biopsy biomarkers, offering a non-invasive approach for early diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment monitoring. EV-miRNAs and EV-long non-coding RNAs demonstrate significant diagnostic and prognostic value in GI cancers. This review provides a widespread impression of the biogenesis, molecular properties, and functional roles of EVs in GI cancers, with a focus on their clinical utility.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Extracellular vesicles; Gastrointestinal cancers; Tumorigenesis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-025-04055-0