The role of exosomes in cancer‐related programmed cell death

Abstract

SummaryCancer arises from the growth and division of uncontrolled erroneous cells. Programmed cell death (PCD), or regulated cell death (RCD), includes natural processes that eliminate damaged or abnormal cells. Dysregulation of PCD is a hallmark of cancer, as cancer cells often evade cell death and continue to proliferate. Exosomes nanoscale extracellular vesicles secreted by different types of cells carrying a variety of molecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, to have indispensable role in the communication between cells, and can influence various cellular processes, including PCD. Exosomes have been shown to modulate PCD in cancer cells by transferring pro‐ or antideath molecules to neighboring cells. Additionally, exosomes can facilitate the spread of PCD to surrounding cancer cells, making them promising in the treatment of various cancers. The exosomes' diagnostic potential in cancer is also an active area of research. Exosomes can be isolated from a wide range of bodily fluids and tissues, such as blood and urine, and can provide a noninvasive way to monitor cancer progression and treatment response. Furthermore, exosomes have also been employed as a delivery system for therapeutic agents. By engineering exosomes to carry drugs or other therapeutic molecules, they can be targeted specifically to cancer cells, reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. Here, we discussed exosomes in the diagnosis and prevention of cancers, tumor immunotherapy, and drug delivery, as well as in different types of PCD.

Research progress in in vivo tracing technology for extracellular vesicles

“…Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a group of nanoscale heterogeneous lipid bilayer membrane vesicles, which are released into the extracellular environment by different cell types through various stages of evolution [1] . EVs can be detected in a range of liquid body substances, including but not limited to blood, breast milk, urine, and saliva [2][3][4][5] .…”

Mechanisms of programmed cell death

“…Logically, attempts are underway to create novel galenic formulation including nanoparticle‐based drug delivery systems to administer drugs that induce immunogenic cell death in tumors, yet do not mediate any systemic effects 13,15 . Interestingly, cell death of cancer cells can be accompanied by the release of nanoscale extracellular vesicles dubbed exosomes that constitute potential biomarkers of ongoing cell death events and establish short‐ and long‐distance communication with neighboring cells and distant tissues 16 . As a possibility, such exosomes might be engineered for the nanodelivery of therapeutic agents.…”

“…13,15 Interestingly, cell death of cancer cells can be accompanied by the release of nanoscale extracellular vesicles dubbed exosomes that constitute potential biomarkers of ongoing cell death events and establish short-and long-distance communication with neighboring cells and distant tissues. 16 As a possibility, such exosomes might be engineered for the nanodelivery of therapeutic agents.…”