Exosomes in HPV-Associated Cancers: From Biomarkers to Engineered Therapeutics

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary cause of cervical and other anogenital/oropharyngeal cancers.
• Exosomes, as stable extracellular vesicles, are crucial for cell communication and biomolecule transport.
• There is a growing need for advanced biomarkers and therapies for HPV-associated malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications of exosomes in HPV-related cancers.
• To analyze the role of exosomal nucleic acids, proteins, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).
• To evaluate engineered exosome-based therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on exosomes in HPV-related cancers.
• Analysis of exosomal miRNAs, proteins, and lncRNAs as potential biomarkers.
• Evaluation of engineered exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

• Exosomal miRNAs, proteins, and lncRNAs are promising biomarkers for HPV-related cancer detection and monitoring.
• Exosomal cargo influences tumor progression, immune response, and metastasis in HPV-positive cancers.
• Exosomes show potential in vaccine delivery, immune modulation, and drug delivery systems, including PROTACs.

Conclusions:

• Exosomes offer significant potential for improving diagnostics and therapeutics in HPV-related cancers.
• Standardization of isolation protocols and biomarker validation are critical for clinical translation.
• Future research should focus on optimizing engineered exosome platforms for targeted therapies.