Exosomes in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Diseases

Exosomes (EXOs) are small vesicles (30-200 nm) of endocytic origin, which are released by many different cell types into the extracellular space. They may play a key role in facilitating cell-cell communication, under both physiological and pathological conditions. EXOs contain a wide range of RNA molecules and proteins. Their specific molecular signatures make them promising candidates in early diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic diseases. EXOs could also provide a new method to monitor treatment response in patients suffering from pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the pancreas. Additionally they may help to improve current treatments via personalized medicine approaches using them as therapeutic vehicles themselves.