The Emerging Role of Exosomes in Cancer Chemoresistance

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Xingli Dong¹  Zhengfan Gao²  Jing Li²  Na Gao²  Wei Liu²  Tianli Fan²  Bairen Pang³  Yong Li³ 

[1] Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China;Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China;St George Hospital, St George and Sutherland Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia;

关键词: exosome;    cancer;    chemoresistance;    liquid biopsy;    biomarker;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcell.2021.737962

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Chemoresistance is an impending challenge in cancer treatment. In recent years, exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 40–150 nm in bloodstream and other bio-fluids, have attracted increasing interest. Exosomes contain proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which act as important signaling molecules. Many reports indicate that exosomes play critical roles in chemoresistance through intercellular interactions, including drug removal from cells, transfer of drug resistance phenotypes to other cancer cells, and the increase in plastic stem cell subsets. Exosomes can reflect the physiological and pathological state of parent cells. Owing to their elevated stability, specificity, and sensitivity, exosomes are served as biomarkers in liquid biopsies to monitor cancer chemoresistance, progression, and recurrence. This review summarizes the exosome-mediated mechanisms of cancer chemoresistance, as well as its role in reversing and monitoring chemoresistance. The scientific and technological challenges and future applications of exosomes are also explored.

【 授权许可】

Unknown