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Wang Y, Ding S. Extracellular vesicles in cancer cachexia: deciphering pathogenic roles and exploring therapeutic horizons. J Transl Med 2024; 22:506. [PMID: 38802952 PMCID: PMC11129506 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05266-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome that affects 50-80% of cancer patients, varying in incidence by cancer type and significantly diminishing their quality of life. This multifactorial syndrome is characterized by muscle and fat loss, systemic inflammation, and metabolic imbalance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, play a crucial role in the progression of CC. These vesicles, produced by cancer cells and others within the tumor environment, facilitate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. A comprehensive review of the literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science reveals insights into the formation, release, and uptake of EVs in CC, underscoring their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The review also explores therapeutic strategies targeting EVs, which include modifying their release and content, utilizing them for drug delivery, genetically altering their contents, and inhibiting key cachexia pathways. Understanding the role of EVs in CC opens new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, potentially mitigating the syndrome's impact on patient survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shengguang Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China.
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Ahmad SS, Ahmad K, Shaikh S, You HJ, Lee EY, Ali S, Lee EJ, Choi I. Molecular Mechanisms and Current Treatment Options for Cancer Cachexia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092107. [PMID: 35565236 PMCID: PMC9105812 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The primary characteristics of cancer cachexia are weakness, weight loss, atrophy, fat reduction, and systemic inflammation. Cachexia is strongly associated with cancers involving the lungs, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, and liver, which account for half of all cancer deaths. TGF-β, MSTN, activin, IGF-1/PI3K/AKT, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways are known to underlie muscle atrophy and cachexia. Anamorelin (appetite stimulation), megestrol acetate, eicosapentaenoic acid, phytocannabinoids, targeting MSTN/activin, and molecules targeting proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, are being tested as treatment options for cancer cachexia. Abstract Cancer cachexia is a condition marked by functional, metabolic, and immunological dysfunctions associated with skeletal muscle (SM) atrophy, adipose tissue loss, fat reduction, systemic inflammation, and anorexia. Generally, the condition is caused by a variety of mediators produced by cancer cells and cells in tumor microenvironments. Myostatin and activin signaling, IGF-1/PI3K/AKT signaling, and JAK-STAT signaling are known to play roles in cachexia, and thus, these pathways are considered potential therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cachexia and the available therapeutic options and was undertaken to increase understanding of the various factors/pathways/mediators involved and to identify potential treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Sayeed Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea; (S.S.A.); (K.A.); (S.S.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
| | - Khurshid Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea; (S.S.A.); (K.A.); (S.S.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
| | - Sibhghatulla Shaikh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea; (S.S.A.); (K.A.); (S.S.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
| | - Hye Jin You
- Tumor Microenvironment Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (H.J.Y.); (E.-Y.L.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, 323, Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyaan 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Eun-Young Lee
- Tumor Microenvironment Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (H.J.Y.); (E.-Y.L.)
| | - Shahid Ali
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea; (S.S.A.); (K.A.); (S.S.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
- Correspondence: (E.J.L.); (I.C.)
| | - Inho Choi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea; (S.S.A.); (K.A.); (S.S.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea;
- Correspondence: (E.J.L.); (I.C.)
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