Exosomes in development, metastasis and drug resistance of breast cancer

Abstract

Transport through the cell membrane can be divided into active, passive and vesicular types (exosomes). Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles released by a variety of cells. Emerging evidence shows that exosomes play a critical role in cancers. Exosomes mediate communication between stroma and cancer cells through the transfer of nucleic acid and proteins. It is demonstrated that the contents and the quantity of exosomes will change after occurrence of cancers. Over the last decade, growing attention has been paid to the role of exosomes in the development of breast cancer, the most life-threatening cancer in women. Breast cancer could induce salivary glands to secret specific exosomes, which could be used as biomarkers in the diagnosis of early breast cancer. Exosome-delivered nucleic acid and proteins partly facilitate the tumorigenesis, metastasis and resistance of breast cancer. Exosomes could also transmit anti-cancer drugs outside breast cancer cells, therefore leading to drug resistance. However, exosomes are effective tools for transportation of anti-cancer drugs with lower immunogenicity and toxicity. This is a promising way to establish a drug delivery system.

Evolution of Cancer Stem-like Cells in Endocrine-Resistant Metastatic Breast Cancers Is Mediated by Stromal Microvesicles

“…Tumor heterogeneity and resistance to therapy may occur from MV-mediated transfer of genetic material between cells [1–3]. Thus, the characterization of this phenomenon could have important clinical ramifications most notably in the development of new therapeutically relevant compounds.…”

Exosomes as Reconfigurable Therapeutic Systems

“…Whilst exosomes provide effective tools for transportation of anti-cancer drugs with lower toxicity [51], it is important to consider their function as immuno-stimulating or immuno-suppressing moieties [52]. Exosomes have been proposed to play a role in shaping the tumor microenvironment through their involvement in various biological processes including angiogenesis, immune escape, and triggering an epithelial-to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) leading to metastasis initiation [53].…”

Exosomes in cancer theranostic: Diamonds in the rough

“…Exosomes have been reported to be involved in all stages in cancer development: (i) tumorigenic transformation, (ii) tumor growth, (iii) angiogenesis, (iv) modulation of immune responses, and (v) induction of mechanisms to acquire therapy resistance. [50][51][52][53] The impact of exosomes in clinical research is demonstrated by the fact that there are already 19 clinical trials ongoing (web site https://clinicaltrials.gov/). Among them, 13 involve the study of exosomes as cancer diagnosis biomarkers whereas the others use the exosomes for cancer therapy purposes.…”