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Chen Y, Kleeff J, Sunami Y. Pancreatic cancer cell- and cancer-associated fibroblast-derived exosomes in disease progression, metastasis, and therapy. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:253. [PMID: 38954230 PMCID: PMC11220035 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01111-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Exosomes play a crucial role in the progression and spread of pancreatic cancer, serving not only as promoters of tumor growth and organ-specific metastasis but also as promising biomarkers and targets for treatment. These nano vesicles enhance intercellular communication by transferring bioactive molecules, such as proteins and RNAs, between cells. This process significantly affects cancer cell dynamics, including their proliferation, migration, and invasion, while also contributing to drug resistance. Our review focuses on the crucial interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts mediated by exosomes within the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. We delve into how exosomes from both cancer-associated fibroblasts and the cancer cells themselves drive tumor progression through various mechanisms, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and facilitating metastasis to specific organs like the lungs and liver. The potential of leveraging exosomes for therapeutic interventions is also explored, highlighting the importance of understanding their role in cell communication as a step forward in developing more effective pancreatic cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Chen
- Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medical Center Halle, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jörg Kleeff
- Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medical Center Halle, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Yoshiaki Sunami
- Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medical Center Halle, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Gou Z, Li J, Liu J, Yang N. The hidden messengers: cancer associated fibroblasts-derived exosomal miRNAs as key regulators of cancer malignancy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1378302. [PMID: 38694824 PMCID: PMC11061421 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1378302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a class of stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a key role in controlling cancer cell invasion and metastasis, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and resistance to chemotherapy. CAFs mediate their activities by secreting soluble chemicals, releasing exosomes, and altering the extracellular matrix (ECM). Exosomes contain various biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. microRNA (miRNA), a 22-26 nucleotide non-coding RNA, can regulate the cellular transcription processes. Studies have shown that miRNA-loaded exosomes secreted by CAFs engage in various regulatory communication networks with other TME constituents. This study focused on the roles of CAF-derived exosomal miRNAs in generating cancer malignant characteristics, including immune modulation, tumor growth, migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and treatment resistance. This study thoroughly examines miRNA's dual regulatory roles in promoting and suppressing cancer. Thus, changes in the CAF-derived exosomal miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients, and their specificity can be used to develop newer therapies. This review also discusses the pressing problems that require immediate attention, aiming to inspire researchers to explore more novel avenues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Gou
- Bethune First Clinical School of Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianming Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Khan SU, Fatima K, Malik F, Kalkavan H, Wani A. Cancer metastasis: Molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108522. [PMID: 37661054 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic progression combined with non-responsiveness towards systemic therapy often shapes the course of disease for cancer patients and commonly determines its lethal outcome. The complex molecular events that promote metastasis are a combination of both, the acquired pro-metastatic properties of cancer cells and a metastasis-permissive or -supportive tumor micro-environment (TME). Yet, dissemination is a challenging process for cancer cells that requires a series of events to enable cancer cell survival and growth. Metastatic cancer cells have to initially detach themselves from primary tumors, overcome the challenges of their intravasal journey and colonize distant sites that are suited for their metastases. The implicated obstacles including anoikis and immune surveillance, can be overcome by intricate intra- and extracellular signaling pathways, which we will summarize and discuss in this review. Further, emerging modulators of metastasis, like the immune-microenvironment, microbiome, sublethal cell death engagement, or the nervous system will be integrated into the existing working model of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Kaneez Fatima
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ASIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Halime Kalkavan
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Abubakar Wani
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, United States.
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Sarkar R, Xu Z, Perera CJ, Apte MV. Emerging role of pancreatic stellate cell-derived extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:114-122. [PMID: 37225047 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer that is characterised by a prominent collagenous stromal reaction/desmoplasia surrounding tumour cells. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for the production of this stroma and have been shown to facilitate PDAC progression. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in particular, small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) have been a topic of interest in the field of cancer research for their emerging roles in cancer progression and diagnosis. EVs act as a form of intercellular communication by carrying their molecular cargo from one cell to another, regulating functions of the recipient cells. Although the knowledge of the bi-directional interactions between the PSCs and cancer cells that promote disease progression has advanced significantly over the past decade, studies on PSC-derived EVs in PDAC are currently rather limited. This review provides an overview of PDAC, pancreatic stellate cells and their interactions with cancer cells, as well as the currently known role of extracellular vesicles derived from PSCs in PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sarkar
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Chamini J Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia.
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
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Nicoletti A, Negri M, Paratore M, Vitale F, Ainora ME, Nista EC, Gasbarrini A, Zocco MA, Zileri Dal Verme L. Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010885. [PMID: 36614326 PMCID: PMC9821035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors, with a dismal prognosis due to poor detection rates at early stages, rapid progression, post-surgical complications, and limited effectiveness of conventional oncologic therapies. There are no consistently reliable biomarkers or imaging modalities to accurately diagnose, classify, and predict the biological behavior of this tumor. Therefore, it is imperative to develop new and improved strategies to detect pancreatic lesions in the early stages of cancerization with greater sensitivity and specificity. Extracellular vesicles, including exosome and microvesicles, are membrane-coated cellular products that are released in the outer environment. All cells produce extracellular vesicles; however, this process is enhanced by inflammation and tumorigenesis. Based on accumulating evidence, extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in pancreatic cancer progression and chemoresistance. Moreover, they may represent potential biomarkers and promising therapy targets. The aim of the present review is to review the current evidence on the role of extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer.
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