Exosome-based Tumor Therapy: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Background: Exosomes play an important role in information transfer among different cell types, as they transport materials from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm. They are involved not only in normal physiological functions, but also in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. Cancer is a major health problem affecting humans. Currently, exosomes are considered novel stars in tumor therapy. Objective: To present a review focusing on the role of exosomes in tumorigenesis and development and the possibility of treating tumors with exosome-targeted therapies or using exosomes as carriers. Methods: We reviewed literature related to the biological origin and function of exosomes and exosome-tumor relationship. Results: Exosomes are closely related to tumor immunity, angiogenesis, pre-metastasis microenvironment, chemoresistance, energy metabolism, etc. Tumor therapy involving the targeting of exosomes involves block the generation, secretion, uptake of exosomes, and elimination of circulating exosomes, and develop antitumor vaccines. Exosome as delivery vehicles can loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs, therapeutic genes, and other therapeutic drugs to target cells. Prospects and challenges of exosome-based tumor therapy are also discussed. Conclusion: Exosomes are involved in multiple processes during tumor development and should be further studied as novel targets for cancer therapy.

Immunotherapy Using Oxygenated Water and Tumor‐Derived Exosomes Potentiates Antitumor Immune Response and Attenuates Malignancy Tendency in Mice Model of Breast Cancer

“…To devise a double-edged immunotherapeutic approach which modulates the tumor microenvironment and stimulates and potentiates an antitumor immune response, exosomes as a source of tumor antigens were also applied along with oxygenated water in this study. Utilization of tumor-derived exosomes for immunotherapy of cancer has been proposed and investigated before [ 72 ]. In the case of the 4T1 mice model of breast cancer, immunotherapy using exosomes in a previous study could just partially slow down tumor growth by almost half but administration of exosomes along with oxygenated water in this study decreased tumor size by 1/8th [ 73 ].…”

Current perspectives on exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (review)

“…9 Traditionally, EVs can be divided into the following three subgroups based on their diameter: exosomes (30-100 nm), apoptotic bodies (50-200 nm), and microbubbles (100-1000 nm). 10 EVs exhibit a particulate structure and contain biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids. 11 The secreted EVs can be taken up by the recipient cells through endocytosis, phagocytosis, macropinocytosis, or membrane fusion.…”

“…14 The secretion of exosomes is reported to be dependent on the the calcium concentration and pH value. 10 In tumor cells (such as HCC cells), the secretion of exosomes is dependent on the GTPase (Rab) family proteins, such as Rab35. 15 Zou et al 16 demonstrated that the secretion of exosome was regulated by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1) and was dependent on the amino acid changes and growth factor conditions.…”

“…Proteomic analysis has revealed that CD63, TSG101, and flotillin are exosome markers. 10 Exosomes function as an intercellular messenger during cell differentiation and cancer development. Additionally, exosomes contain various biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, 17 and are involved in complex biological functions (Table 1).…”

Editorial On “Exosomes, Their Biogenesis and Role in Inter-Cellular Communication, Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunotherapy”

“…Exosomes were first discovered in reticulocytes from sheep in 1983 by two independent groups [ 1 , 2 ]. Exosomes are produced by virtually all cells and can carry numerous cell-derived proteins, DNA, RNA, miRNA [ 3 ]. These biologically active molecules are protected by the exosomal membrane from degradative enzymes in the blood, allowing delivery of these molecules to cells located far away from the exosome-producing cell.…”