Exosome‐based cancer stem cell communication: Implication for detecting and eliminating cancer stem cells

Abstract

Exosomes are bilayered nano-dimensional bio-vesicles shed by all types of cells including transformed malignant cells. They are primarily involved in cell-to-cell communication and resemble the contents of their parental cells. They transport specific contents, like DNA, proteins, and lipids, which is selectively absorbed by proximate and distant cell from the site of their release, conditioning the recipient cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the root cause behind tumor development, immune evasion, and relapse also produce and secrete large quantities of exosomes that aid and abet CSCs. Interaction of CSCs and neighboring cells occurs through the exosomal exchange of biological materials. Exosomes promote immune evasion, metastasis, and self-renewal within the tumor microenvironment. These properties of exosomes are exploited to detect the presence of malignant cells via noninvasive techniques. These exosomes can be modified to target CSCs.In this review, we highlight the unique role of exosomes in disease progression and how they can be exploited to detect CSCs or be used as a vehicle for medicinal drugs and genetic components to destroy CSCs.Exosome research is still in its inception, in-depth analysis of the components and mechanistic details involved in exosome synthesis and precise bio-engineering for cell-targeting will help us discern it as a nextgeneration cancer therapy option.