Extracellular vesicles in lung cancer: Prospects for diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized lipid-bound particles containing proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites released by cells. They have been identified in body fluids including blood, saliva, sputum and pleural effusions. In tumors, EVs derived from cancer and immune cells mediate intercellular communication and exchange, and can affect immunomodulatory functions. In the context of lung cancer, emerging evidence implicates EV involvement during various stages of tumor development and progression, including angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transformation, immune system suppression, metastasis and drug resistance. Additionally, tumor-derived EVs (TDEs) have potential as a liquid biopsy source and as a means of therapeutic targeting, and there is considerable interest in developing clinical applications for EVs in these contexts. In this review, we consider the biogenesis, components, biological functions and isolation methods of EVs, and the implications for their clinical utility for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in lung cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number4604
JournalCancers
Volume13
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2021

Keywords

  • Cancer biomarker
  • Drug delivery
  • Extracellular vesicles
  • Immune therapy
  • Liquid biopsy
  • Tumor-associated antigens

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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