Research progress of tumor derived exosomes in clinical diagnosis and treatment / 国际外科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles containing DNA, RNA and protein. They participate in intercellular communication and play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Exosomes exist in a variety of body fluids. Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid can be separated and extracted. Exosomes derived from tumor cells have the characteristics of tumor cells. Studies have shown that exosomes are involved in many processes of tumorigenesis and development, including information transmission between tumor cells, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. Exosomes can also be used as carriers to deliver drugs to target cells, which has the potential of targeted therapy. In the process of tumor treatment, drugs can be designed based on the targeted recognition characteristics of exosomes, so as to improve the bioavailability of anti-tumor drugs, reduce adverse reactions and enhance the therapeutic effect. The research and application of exosomes are very challenging. There is a huge heterogeneity in the types, sizes and sources of exosomes, and the production mechanism is also very complex. This paper reviews the extraction and identification methods of exosomes, and reviews the clinical application of tumor derived exosomes.