Cancer secretome: finding out hidden messages in extracellular secretions

Secretome Analysis: Reading Cellular Sign Language to Understand Intercellular Communication

“…In addition, an important class of proteins is constituted by growth factors and cytokines that signal to recipient cells to induce a specific response. This is not only required to maintain tissue homeostasis in healthy tissue (as further stipulated below) but is also crucial in diseases like cancer where secretory proteins constitute the organizing principle among cancer cells, stroma, and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment ( 7 , 8 , 9 ). Knowing and understanding the proteins in the extracellular space that sustain the mutual interactions among cells therefore not only provides insight in fundamental aspects of tissue maintenance and onset of disease but may also provide clues for intervention by interfering in this network ( 7 , 10 ).…”

Circulating Proteins as Diagnostic Markers in Gastric Cancer

“…Globally, they may play an important role in cancer development and progression and are thus considered an important potential source of "sentinel molecules". In particular, the cancer secretome consists of proteins (e.g., extracellular matrix proteins, enzymes, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, exosomes, and microvesicles) secreted or released by cancer or cancer-related cells or different types of cells, which are a part of the dynamic interactions within the highly complex local tumor milieu [27][28][29]. Proteins released into the extracellular compartment or bodily fluids may activate finely orchestrated signaling pathways driving tumor microenvironment remodeling, tumor growth, and diffusion [30].…”

Pancreatic Cancer-Secreted Proteins: Targeting Their Functions in Tumor Microenvironment

“…When the pathways leading to protein secretion, mediating both short-and long-range signals, are dysregulated, it accelerates disease pathogenesis. In addition, for some cancers, there is growing interest in intracellular proteins that, if secreted, play distinct functions, demonstrating that UPS pathways are still not fully understood [32]. In this context, tumor secretomes are able to influence the behavior of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells, providing a promising source of potential biomarkers useful in patient management.…”