Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Exosomal miRNA Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer NSCLC Patients' Plasma Through qPCR: A Feasible Liquid Biopsy Tool
08:49

Exosomal miRNA Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer NSCLC Patients' Plasma Through qPCR: A Feasible Liquid Biopsy Tool

Published on: May 27, 2016

11.7K

Effect of exosomal miRNA on cancer biology and clinical applications

Zhenqiang Sun1, Ke Shi2, Shuaixi Yang3

  • 1Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China. zqsun82@csu.edu.cn.

Molecular Cancer
|October 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-derived exosomes carry microRNAs (miRNAs) that influence cancer progression, including growth and metastasis. These exosomal miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (30-150 nm) found in body fluids.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly identified within exosomes.
  • Exosome biogenesis, release, and uptake involve the ESCRT complex and associated proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on tumor-derived exosomes and their RNA sorting/delivery mechanisms.
  • To describe intercellular communication via exosomal miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment.
  • To highlight the potential of exosomal miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and in predicting therapeutic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on tumor-derived exosomes.
  • Analysis of exosomal miRNA sorting and delivery mechanisms.
  • Examination of exosomal miRNA roles in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.

Main Results:

  • Exosomal miRNAs modulate tumor immunity, microenvironment, growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance.
  • Intercellular communication via exosomal miRNAs impacts tumor proliferation, vascularization, and metastasis.
  • Tumor-derived exosomes play a significant role in regulating cancer progression.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomal miRNAs are key regulators of cancer progression, influencing multiple hallmarks of cancer.
  • These molecules are promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and predicting treatment outcomes.
  • Understanding exosomal miRNA mechanisms offers therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
AngiogenesisBiomarkersCancerExosomal miRNAsMetastasis

More Related Videos

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues11:29

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

11.2K
Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells09:59

Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells

Published on: December 5, 2018

26.1K

Related Concept Videos

Applications Of NMR In Biology01:25

Applications Of NMR In Biology

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a very valuable analytical technique for researchers. It has been used for more than 50 years as an analytical tool. F. Bloch and E. Purcell formulated NMR in 1946 and won the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physics  for their work. Biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and organic molecules including pharmaceutical compounds, can be studied using this versatile tool that exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei.
4.5K
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells01:19

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own...
3.3K
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
1.4K
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
741
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
1.4K
Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.7K