Li X, Wang Y, Wang Q, Liu Y, Bao W, Wu S. Exosomes in cancer: Small transporters with big functions.
Cancer Lett 2018;
435:55-65. [PMID:
30071288 DOI:
10.1016/j.canlet.2018.07.037]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes are nanosized membrane-bound vesicles containing abundant proteins, DNA, mRNA, and non-coding RNAs. Exosomes are now considered as an additional mechanism for intercellular communication, allowing cells to exchange proteins, lipids and genetic material. Increasing studies have shown that exosomes play an important role in tumour initiation, growth, progression, metastasis, drug resistance and immune escape. In this article, we review recent advances in the biology of exosomes. We elaborate the specific mechanism by which exosomes affect the communication between tumours and the microenvironment. Finally, we report that exosomes may provide promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and represent new targets for cancer therapy.
Collapse