Exosomal miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Journal article

Intercommunication between cancer cells and their surrounding and distant environments is key to survival, progression and metastasis of the tumour. Exosomes play a role in this communication process. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is frequently dysregulated in tumour cells, and is reflected by distinct exosomal miRNA (ex-miRNA) profiles isolated from the bodily fluids of cancer patients. Here, the potential of ex-miRNA as a cancer biomarker and therapeutic target is critically analysed. Exosomes are a stable source of miRNA in bodily fluids, but whilst there are a number of methods of exosome extraction and miRNA quantification, their suitability in a clinical setting is questionable. Furthermore, exosomally transferred miRNAs can alter the behaviour of recipient tumour and stromal cells to promote oncogenesis, highlighting a role in cell communication in cancer. However, possible ways to target exosomes or their transferred miRNAs are limited and not specific to tumour cells, due to our currently limited understanding of exosome biogenesis and miRNA loading mechanisms. Further advances in methods to isolate and detect ex-miRNA and a better understanding of their biogenesis and function in communication are therefore still required, if ex-miRNA is to be employed in novel non-invasive diagnostic approaches and as a therapeutic target in cancer.

Authors: Thind, A; Wilson, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Co-Action Publishing
• Journal: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles
• Volume: 5
• Article number: 31292
• Publication date: 2016-07-19
• Acceptance date: 2016-06-09
• DOI: 10.3402/jev.v5.31292
• EISSN: 2001-3078
• ISSN: 2001-3078
• Keywords: exosomes; microRNA; exosome isolation; cell communication; tumour microenvironment; oncogenesis