The Role of Tumor Stem Cell Exosomes in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

Abstract

Exosomes are lipid membrane bilayer-encapsulated vesicles secreted by cells into the extracellular space. They carry abundant inclusions (such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids) that play pivotal roles in intercellular communication. Tumor stem cells are capable of self-renewal and are crucial for survival, proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. The miRNAs (microRNAs) in exosomes have various functions, such as participating in inflammatory response, cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Tumor stem cells secrete exosomes that act as important messengers involved in various tumor processes and several studies provide increasing evidence supporting the importance of these exosomes in tumor recurrence and metastasis. This review primarily focuses on the production and secretion of exosomes from tumors and tumor stem cells and their effects on cancer progression. Cancer stem cancer derived exosome play an important massager in the tumor microenvironment. It also emphasizes on the study of tumor stem cell exosomes in the light of cancer metastasis and recurrence aiming to provide valuable insights and novel perspectives, which could be beneficial for developing effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from Gastric Juice

“…The results of numerous studies indicate that EVs contribute to the malignant phenotype and the survival of primary tumor cells, regulating the processes of proliferation and apoptosis [ 33 , 34 ]. EVs also participate in tumor spread by enhancing the migratory and invasive activity of cancer cells and stimulation of angiogenesis [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. In addition, EVs secreted by tumor cells are involved in the processes of the tumor–stroma interaction, reorganization of tissue microenvironment, pre-metastatic niche formation, and reprogramming of immune cells to evade anti-tumor immunity [ 7 ].…”

A Different Exosome Secretion Pattern Characterizes Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Multicellular Spheroids and Their Mouse Xenografts

“…In this study, we investigated the presence and localization of exosomes in CRC MTSs and xenografts. Exosomes play a crucial role in mediating cell-to-cell communication between CSCs, non-stem cancer cells, and other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), regulating processes such as tumor progression, metastasis, drug resistance, EMT, and immune evasion [ 37 ]. The results of our ultrastructural study show that spheroids have exosome secretion patterns that depend on their structural complexity.…”

Therapeutic Strategy of Mesenchymal-Stem-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Regenerative Medicine

“…Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nano- to micro-sized lipid bilayer membrane particles secreted by host cells, play critical roles in novel intercellular communication mechanisms, mediating the transduction of functional molecules with physiological activity, such as microRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, and lipids ( Figure 1 ) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ,…”