Extracellular vesicles compartment in liquid biopsies: Clinical application

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Liquid biopsy offers an alternative to surgical biopsy, addressing challenges like tissue accessibility and heterogeneity, particularly in tumors.
• Diseased tissues release molecular contents into the bloodstream via cell-free DNA, intracellular components, or extracellular vesicles (EVs).
• Current molecular analysis of peripheral blood DNA is effective for high-shedding tumors but limited for low-shedding tumors and non-tumoral diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of molecular internalization into extracellular vesicles (EVs).
• To explore the correlation between EV cargo and clinical parameters in both tumor and non-tumor diseases.
• To emphasize the clinical applications of EVs as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their molecular cargo.
• Analysis of mechanisms for molecular content uptake by EVs.
• Examination of clinical data correlating EV cargo with disease status.

Main Results:

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a promising source of biomarkers for various diseases, including cancers and immunological/cardiovascular conditions.
• EVs can encapsulate diverse molecular cargo, reflecting the physiological or pathological state of their tissue of origin.
• The cargo of EVs shows potential for correlating with clinical parameters, aiding in disease management.

Conclusions:

• Diseased tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a valuable compartment for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
• EV analysis offers a less invasive approach compared to surgical biopsies, with broad applicability in oncology and other pathologies.
• Further research into EV cargo and internalization mechanisms will enhance their clinical utility in disease management.