Exosome: From leukemia progression to a novel therapeutic approach in leukemia treatment

Biofactors. 2020 Sep;46(5):698-715. doi: 10.1002/biof.1669. Epub 2020 Aug 14.

Abstract

Exosomes, as small vesicles, are released by tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (cells and function as key intercellular mediators and effects on different processes including tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and evasion from immune system. These functions are due to exosomes' biomolecules which make them as efficient markers in early diagnosis of the disease. Also, exosomes have been recently applied in vaccination. The potential role of exosomes in immune response toward leukemic cells makes them efficient immunotherapeutic agents treating leukemia. Furthermore, variations in exosomes contents make them beneficial to be used in treating different diseases. This review introduces the role of exosomes in the development of hematological malignancies and evaluates their functional role in the treatment of these malignancies.

Keywords: biomarker; drug delivery; immunotherapy; miRNA; stem cell; tumor-derived exosome; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / chemistry
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Exosomes / chemistry
  • Exosomes / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / immunology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor