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Exosomal circRNAs: a new communication method in cancer
Jia-Lin Xu1,2, Wen-Xiu Xu1,2, Jin-Hai Tang1
1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China.
American Journal of Translational Research
|December 27, 2021
Summary
Exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable molecules found in body fluids, showing promise as early cancer diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Exosomes are key mediators of intercellular communication, carrying various biomolecules.
- Exosomal contents, including circular RNAs (circRNAs), play roles in cancer progression and development.
- circRNAs are stable, covalently closed RNA molecules accumulating in exosomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biogenesis and function of circRNAs.
- To explore the expression patterns of exosomal circRNAs in various cancers.
- To highlight the potential of exosomal circRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on exosomal circRNA biogenesis and function.
- Analysis of studies reporting exosomal circRNA expression in cancer.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Main Results:
- Exosomal circRNAs are abundant and stable in body fluids.
- circRNAs are implicated in cancer cell growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and development.
- Specific exosomal circRNA profiles are associated with different cancer types.
Conclusions:
- Exosomal circRNAs represent a novel class of biomarkers for early cancer detection.
- Targeting exosomal circRNAs offers a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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