[Exosome in cancer diagnosis and treatment]

Exosomes secreted by various types of living cells are small vesicular bodies that contain many types of proteins and RNAs. Such membrane-coated nano-scale structures are extensively involved in the processes of intercellular material exchange and signal communication, thus to conduct important functions under physiological and pathological conditions. Exosomes exist in high abundance in a wide range of body fluids, including peripheral blood, urine, ascites, and amniotic fluid, etc. The exosome from different tissues poses substantial difference in molecular components and biological functions which are dynamically influenced by extracellular matrix and microenvironment. Tumor-derived or tumor-associated exosomes can be an important regulatory mechanism during cancer development and progression. The detection and analyses of tumor-derived exosomes can provide potential reference for cancer early diagnosis, treatment assessment and prognosis. Besides, exosomes and their modified variants can be directly used as vectors for cancer intervention of gene or drug delivery. Exosome-related studies have brought up a booming research field of cancer biology, which following the principle of translational medical research, will shed light on the research of tumor biology and significantly accelerate the developments of novel cancer diagnosis methods, as well as novel strategies for cancer therapy.