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The tumorigenic and therapeutic functions of exosomes in colorectal cancer: Opportunity and challenges
Author(s) -
Ahmadi Mahdi,
Jafari Reza,
Mahmoodi Monireh,
Rezaie Jafar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cell biochemistry and function
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0844
pISSN - 0263-6484
DOI - 10.1002/cbf.3622
Subject(s) - microvesicles , exosome , microrna , colorectal cancer , angiogenesis , carcinogenesis , metastasis , cancer research , liquid biopsy , cancer , biology , tumor progression , medicine , bioinformatics , gene , genetics
Most cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediating intercellular communication via transferring various biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. A subset of EVs is exosomes that promote tumorigenesis. Different tumour cells such as colorectal cancer (CRC) cells produce exosomes that participate in the progression of CRC. Exosomes cargo including proteins and miRNAs not only support proliferation and metastasis of tumour cells but also mediate chemoresistance, immunomodulation and angiogenesis. In addition, as exosomes are present in most body fluids, they can hold the great capacity for clinical usage in early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Exosomes from CRC (CRC‐Exo) differentially contain proteins and miRNAs that make them a promising candidate for CRC diagnosis by a simple liquid‐biopsy. Despite hopeful results, some challanges about exosomes terminology and definition remains to be clarified in further experiments. In addition, there are little clinical trials regarding the application of exosomes in CRC treatment, therefore additional studies are essential focusing on exosome biology and translation of preclinical findings into the clinic. The present study discusses the key role of exosomes in CRC progression and diagnosis. Furthermore, it describes the opportunity and challenges associated with using exosomes as tumour markers.