The emerging role of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for urogenital cancers

Nat Rev Urol. 2014 Dec;11(12):688-701. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2014.301. Epub 2014 Nov 18.

Abstract

The knowledge gained from comprehensive profiling projects that aim to define the complex genomic alterations present within cancers will undoubtedly improve our ability to detect and treat those diseases, but the influence of these resources on our understanding of basic cancer biology is still to be demonstrated. Extracellular vesicles have gained considerable attention in past years, both as mediators of intercellular signalling and as potential sources for the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers. In general, research on extracellular vesicles investigates either the basic mechanism of vesicle formation and cargo incorporation, or the isolation of vesicles from available body fluids for biomarker discovery. A deeper understanding of the cargo molecules present in extracellular vesicles obtained from patients with urogenital cancers, through high-throughput proteomics or genomics approaches, will aid in the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and can potentially lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / urine*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / urine
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / chemistry*
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / genetics
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / metabolism
  • Exosomes / chemistry*
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / urine
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proteomics
  • Secretory Vesicles / chemistry*
  • Secretory Vesicles / genetics
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism
  • Semen / chemistry
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / genetics
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / urine

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor