Exosomes in Cancer Biology: Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play an important role in intercellular communication among multiple cell types. In recent years, they have emerged as a novel and promising class of cancer biomarkers, offering significant potential to increase diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. These bilayer nano-vesicles are actively secreted by living cells into various biological fluids and carry a diverse cargo of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules that reflect the physiological and pathological state of their cells of origin. The molecular composition of exosomes mirrors the dynamic processes and unique cargo of molecular and genetic data, reflecting the complex activities within cancer cells, making them a promising alternative for cancer detection and treatment monitoring. Although the mechanisms underlying exosome biogenesis, secretion, and cargo selection in cancer remain incompletely understood, growing evidence highlights their importance in tumor progression and therapeutic response. Exosomal proteins have gained considerable attention as potential therapeutic targets. These proteins can regulate immune responses, reshape the tumor microenvironment, and influence cancer cell proliferation and survival. Consequently, targeting exosome-associated proteins represents a promising strategy for developing innovative anticancer therapies. Advances in exosomal protein analysis have provided a promising approach for unraveling the complex molecular networks underlying cancer biology. A wide range of analytical techniques is available to identify and quantify exosomal proteins, enabling characterization of cancer-specific molecular signatures. As an expanding field in cancer research, exosomes have the potential to revolutionize both therapies and diagnostics. By deciphering the diverse molecular and functional cargos of exosomes, exosomes offer new insights that may lead to more precise, effective, and personalized approaches to cancer management.