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Salivary Exosomes as Nanocarriers for Cancer Biomarker Delivery
Jordan Cheng1,2, Taichiro Nonaka3,4, David T W Wong5,6
1Center for Oral/Head and Neck Oncology Research, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 73-017, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. jcheng1@g.ucla.edu.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 24, 2019
Summary
Saliva contains informative nanoparticles called exosomes that can carry cancer biomarkers. New electrochemical sensing technology (EFIRM) improves saliva liquid biopsy for non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Diagnostics
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Human saliva is a valuable biofluid for non-invasive diagnostics.
- Salivary exosomes, nanoscale vesicles, contain clinically relevant information, including cancer biomarkers.
- Exosomes shuttle cancer-derived biomarkers into the oral cavity via systemic circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review salivary biomarkers and exosome nanostructural properties associated with specific cancers.
- To describe the electric field-induced release and measurement (EFIRM) technology for saliva liquid biopsy.
- To cover the current state of point-of-care saliva testing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of salivary biomarkers and exosome characteristics in cancer.
- Description of EFIRM, an electrochemical sensing technology.
- Analysis of current point-of-care saliva testing advancements.
Main Results:
- Salivary exosomes possess unique properties and biomarkers linked to various cancers.
- EFIRM technology offers a novel approach to analyze exosomes in saliva.
- Challenges in exosome analysis due to small size are being addressed.
Conclusions:
- Salivary exosomes hold significant potential for non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
- EFIRM technology enhances saliva liquid biopsy capabilities.
- Further development in exosome characterization is crucial for clinical application.
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