Exosomal microRNAs as Central Regulators of Cancer Cachexia: Multi-Omics Insights into Muscle Wasting and Adipose...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cancer cachexia involves weight loss, muscle wasting, and metabolic dysfunction.
• Exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) are key mediators in cachexia progression.
• An integrated framework linking exosomal miRNAs to proteomic and metabolomic changes is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize evidence on exosomal miRNAs in muscle atrophy, adipose browning, and metabolic disruption in cancer cachexia.
• To establish an integrated multiomics framework connecting exosomal miRNAs with proteomic and metabolomic alterations.
• To identify potential roles of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on exosomal miRNAs, proteomics, and metabolomics in cancer cachexia.
• Analysis of specific miRNAs implicated in muscle proteolysis, apoptosis, and metabolic reprogramming.
• Integration of findings to establish a multiomics perspective on cachexia pathogenesis.

Main Results:

• Tumor-secreted exosomal miRNAs activate proteolytic pathways, suppress survival signals, induce ER stress, and impair mitochondrial function.
• These miRNAs drive proteomic signatures of increased proteolysis, apoptosis, and lipolysis.
• Metabolomic shifts include amino acid efflux, fatty acid mobilization, and reduced glycolytic efficiency.

Conclusions:

• This review provides the first integrated framework linking exosomal miRNAs to proteomic and metabolomic signatures of cancer cachexia.
• Exosomal miRNAs represent promising early biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cachexia.
• Further research is needed for clinical validation and multiomics integration to improve patient care.