The biology, function and clinical implications of exosomes in lung cancer.

Abstract

Exosomes are 30-100 nm small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin that are secreted by all types of cells, and can also be found in various body fluids. Increasing evidence implicates that exosomes confer stability and can deliver their cargos such as proteins and nucleic acids to specific cell types, which subsequently serve as important messengers and carriers in lung carcinogenesis. Here, we describe the biogenesis and components of exosomes mainly in lung cancer, we summarize their function in lung carcinogenesis (epithelial mesenchymal transition, oncogenic cell transformation, angiogenesis, metastasis and immune response in tumor microenvironment), and importantly we focus on the clinical potential of exosomes as biomarkers and therapeutics in lung cancer. In addition, we also discuss current challenges that might impede the clinical use of exosomes. Further studies on the functional roles of exosomes in lung cancer requires thorough research.

• Authors: Li Zhou, Tangfeng Lv, Qun Zhang, Qingqing Zhu, Ping Zhan, Suhua Zhu, Jianya Zhang, Yong Song
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 407 Pg. 84-92 (10 28 2017) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 28807820 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• MicroRNAs

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Carcinogenesis (metabolism)
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (metabolism)
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
• Exosomes (metabolism, physiology)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (immunology, metabolism, physiopathology)
• MicroRNAs (metabolism)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (etiology)
• Prognosis
• Tumor Microenvironment (physiology)