Role of exosomes in cancer: from diagnosis to therapy

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles produced by most cell types. They carry specific markers and biomolecular cargo that reflect the characteristics of cancer cells. These vesicles contain oncoproteins, mutated DNA fragments, and cancer-specific RNA profiles, which can serve as biomarkers for tumor detection, disease progression, and treatment resistance analysis. As a non-invasive diagnostic tool, exosome biomarkers can be obtained from liquid biopsies, including blood, urine, and saliva samples. The cargo of exosomes, such as miRNAs and proteins, is often associated with patient prognosis, providing insights into tumor aggressiveness and survival rates, which helps in patient risk assessment. Due to their natural biocompatibility and minimal immune response, exosomes are promising drug delivery vehicles for anticancer treatments, including chemotherapeutic agents and RNA-based therapies. This review highlights the dual role of exosomes in cancer, focusing on their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.