Emerging roles of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in gastrointestinal cancers

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tumours are the most common solid tumours, with a poor prognosis and remain a major challenge in cancer treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stromal cells with the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types. Several studies have shown that MSC-derived exosomes have become essential regulators of intercellular communication in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Notably, MSC-derived exosomes support or inhibit tumour progression in different cancers through the delivery of proteins, RNA, DNA, and bioactive lipids. Herein, we summarise current advances in MSC-derived exosomes in cancer research, with particular reference to their role in gastrointestinal tumour development. MSC-derived exosomes are expected to be a novel potential strategy for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.

Inhibition of STAT3: A promising approach to enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy in medulloblastoma

“…Microvesicles (MVs), conversely, are formed by direct outward pinching or budding of the cell's plasma membrane, whereas apoptotic bodies are discharged into the extracellular space by dying cells [ 137 ]. Recent research has revealed that tumor-cell-derived exosomes play an important role in communication by transporting numerous biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA [ 138 ]. The cargo of exosomes closely resembles the intracellular components of their parent cells.…”

Emerging Roles of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Therapy

“…A number of studies have pointed out the double-edged properties of MSC-EVs in the tumor environment, confirming that MSC-EVs play a dual role in promoting and inhibiting multiple stages of tumorigenesis ( Figure 3 ) [ 11 ]. Similarly, as for instance with cancer-cell-derived EVs, MSC-EVs have also been reported to play an important role in mediating tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, tumor invasion, dormancy, or resistance to chemotherapy/radiotherapy [ 126 ]. This inconsistency over the dual effect of MSC-EVs on tumorigenesis may be facilitated by many factors, including cell origin, experimental design, culture conditions, method of EV administration, or the tumor microenvironment (TME)–MSC-EV crosstalk.…”

New Possible Ways to Use Exosomes in Diagnostics and Therapy via JAK/STAT Pathways

“…The exosomal hTERT-mRNA level is more elevated in Lynch syndrome mutation carriers (MSH2, MSH6), especially in metastatic colon cancer [ 77 ]. Exosomes, with the help of STAT pathways, could be a novel intermediate in the part of MSCs in GC promotion, and MSC-derived exosomes may be an unexplored therapeutic target not only for GC and ovarian cancer treatment but also for novel diagnostics of Lynch syndrome [ 46 , 76 , 78 , 79 , 80 ].…”