Role of tumor-derived exosomes in bone metastasis

Tight coupling between bone resorption and formation is essential for bone remodeling. Disruption of this equilibrium can lead to skeletal disorders. Osseous metastatic disease is a severe consequence of tumor cell dissemination from numerous primary cancer sites, including the prostate, lungs and breasts. Metastatic disease is one of the most common causes of mortality in patients with cancer. Rapid advances in the therapeutic options for bone disease, including the use of bisphosphonates, have achieved effective clinical effects. However, the overall survival time of patients with bone metastatic has not significantly improved. Exosomes, which originate from tumor tissue and preferentially the bone, provide a reasonable way to understand the mechanism of neoplastic bone metastasis. Recently, several studies have indicated that tumor-derived exosomes are involved in cancer progression. However, the potential role that exosomes serve in the pathological communication between tumor and bone cells within the skeletal microenvironment remains an emerging field. The present review reports some recent findings on the detrimental roles of exosomes in bone metastasis. In addition, since exosomes are involved in metabolic organ cross-talk, this review highlights the involvement of cancer-derived exosomes in the regulation of skeletal metastatic diseases. Lastly, the potential promising clinical applications and emerging therapeutic opportunities targeting exosomes are discussed as novel strategies for cancer therapy.