scholarly journals Elucidating the Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5669
Author(s):  
Akbar Lulu Marzan ◽  
Sarah Elizabeth Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. This dismal survival rate can be attributed to several factors including insufficient diagnostics, rapid metastasis and chemoresistance. To identify new treatment options for improved patient outcomes, it is crucial to investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to pancreatic cancer progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, are critical players in pancreatic cancer progression and chemoresistance. In addition, extracellular vesicles also have the potential to serve as promising biomarkers, therapeutic targets and drug delivery tools for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this review, we aim to summarise the current knowledge on the role of extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer progression, metastasis, immunity, metabolic dysfunction and chemoresistance, and discuss their potential roles as biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug delivery vehicles for treatment of pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles and Pancreatic Cancer: Insights on the Roles of miRNA, lncRNA, and Protein Cargos in Cancer Progression

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1361
Author(s):  
Roberta Romano ◽  
Anna Picca ◽  
Leonardo Henry Umberto Eusebi ◽  
Emanuele Marzetti ◽  
Riccardo Calvani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Precancerous Conditions ◽  
Systematic Overview ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Diagnostic Detection

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most devastating digestive tract cancers worldwide. This cancer is characterized by poor diagnostic detection, lack of therapy, and difficulty in predicting tumorigenesis progression. Although mutations of key oncogenes and oncosuppressor involved in tumor growth and in immunosurveillance escape are known, the underlying mechanisms that orchestrate PC initiation and progression are poorly understood or still under debate. In recent years, the attention of many researchers has been concentrated on the role of extracellular vesicles and of a particular subset of extracellular vesicles, known as exosomes. Literature data report that these nanovesicles are able to deliver their cargos to recipient cells playing key roles in the pathogenesis and progression of many pancreatic precancerous conditions. In this review, we have summarized and discussed principal cargos of extracellular vesicles characterized in PC, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and several proteins, to offer a systematic overview of their function in PC progression. The study of extracellular vesicles is allowing to understand that investigation of their secretion and analysis of their content might represent a new and potential diagnostic and prognostic tools for PC.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Extracellular Vesicles as Drug Delivery Systems and Their Potential in Precision Medicine

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart de Jong ◽  
Eric Raul Barros ◽  
Joost G. J. Hoenderop ◽  
Juan Pablo Rigalli
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Administration Routes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Key Steps

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bilayered nanoparticles released by most cell types. Recently, an enormous number of studies have been published on the potential of EVs as carriers of therapeutic agents. In contrast to systems such as liposomes, EVs exhibit less immunogenicity and higher engineering potential. Here, we review the most relevant publications addressing the potential and use of EVs as a drug delivery system (DDS). The information is divided based on the key steps for designing an EV-mediated delivery strategy. We discuss possible sources and isolation methods of EVs. We address the administration routes that have been tested in vivo and the tissue distribution observed. We describe the current knowledge on EV clearance, a significant challenge towards enhancing bioavailability. Also, EV-engineering approaches are described as alternatives to improve tissue and cell-specificity. Finally, a summary of the ongoing clinical trials is performed. Although the application of EVs in the clinical practice is still at an early stage, a high number of studies in animals support their potential as DDS. Thus, better treatment options could be designed to precisely increase target specificity and therapeutic efficacy while reducing off-target effects and toxicity according to the individual requirements of each patient.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Female Reproductive Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqi Liao ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Lan Wang ◽  
Cong Sui ◽  
Hanwang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Reproductive Disorders ◽  
Reproductive Disorder ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Molecules

Reproductive disorders, including intrauterine adhesion (IUA), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are great threats to female reproduction. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells derived–extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have presented their potentials to cure these diseases, not only for the propensity ability they stemmed from the parent cells, but also for the higher biology stability and lower immunogenicity, compared to MSCs. EVs are lipid bilayer complexes, functional as mediators by transferring multiple molecules to recipient cells, such as proteins, microRNAs, lipids, and cytokines. EVs appeared to have a therapeutic effect on the female reproductive disorder, such as repairing injured endometrium, suppressing fibrosis of endometrium, regulating immunity and anti-inflammatory, and repressing apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) in ovaries. Although the underlying mechanisms of MSC-EVs have reached a consensus, several theories have been proposed, including promoting angiogenesis, regulating immunity, and reducing oxidate stress levels. In the current study, we summarized the current knowledge of functions of MSC-EVs on IUA, POI, and PCOS. Given the great potentials of MSC-EVs on reproductive health, the critical issues discussed will guide new insights in this rapidly expanding field.

scholarly journals The Role of Exosomes in Cancer Progression

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Beáta Soltész ◽  
Gergely Buglyó ◽  
Nikolett Németh ◽  
Melinda Szilágyi ◽  
Ondrej Pös ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Apoptotic Bodies ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments ◽  
Metastasis Development

Early detection, characterization and monitoring of cancer are possible by using extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from non-invasively obtained liquid biopsy samples. They play a role in intercellular communication contributing to cell growth, differentiation and survival, thereby affecting the formation of tumor microenvironments and causing metastases. EVs were discovered more than seventy years ago. They have been tested recently as tools of drug delivery to treat cancer. Here we give a brief review on extracellular vesicles, exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies. Exosomes play an important role by carrying extracellular nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) in cell-to-cell communication causing tumor and metastasis development. We discuss the role of extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of cancer and their practical application in the early diagnosis, follow up, and next-generation treatment of cancer patients.

scholarly journals Annexin A1 May Induce Pancreatic Cancer Progression as a Key Player of Extracellular Vesicles Effects as Evidenced in the In Vitro MIA PaCa-2 Model System

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Pessolano ◽  
Raffaella Belvedere ◽  
Valentina Bizzarro ◽  
Paola Franco ◽  
Iolanda De Marco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Annexin A1 ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumour Metastasis

Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. As annexin A1 (ANXA1) is implicated in the establishment of tumour metastasis, the role of the protein in PC progression as a component of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been investigated. EVs were isolated from wild type (WT) and ANXA1 knock-out (KO) PC cells and then characterised by multiple approaches including Western blotting, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Dynamic Light Scattering. The effects of ANXA1 on tumour aggressiveness were investigated by Wound-Healing and invasion assays and microscopic analysis of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The role of ANXA1 on angiogenesis was also examined in endothelial cells, using similar approaches. We found that WT cells released more EVs enriched in exosomes than those from cells lacking ANXA1. Notably, ANXA1 KO cells recovered their metastatic potential only when treated by WT EVs as they underwent EMT and a significant increase of motility. Similarly, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) migrated and invaded more rapidly when treated by WT EVs whereas ANXA1 KO EVs weakly induced angiogenesis. This study suggests that EVs-related ANXA1 is able to promote cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, confirming the relevance of this protein in PC progression.

scholarly journals The protective and pathogenic roles of IL-17 in viral infections: friend or foe?

Open Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 190109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Tao Ma ◽  
Xiao-Ting Yao ◽  
Qun Peng ◽  
De-Kun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Tissue Integrity ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Significant Health

Viral infections cause substantial human morbidity and mortality, and are a significant health burden worldwide. Following a viral infection, the host may initiate complex antiviral immune responses to antagonize viral invasion and replication. However, proinflammatory antiviral immune responses pose a great threat to the host if not properly held in check. Interleukin (IL)-17 is a pleiotropic cytokine participating in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including tissue integrity maintenance, cancer progression, autoimmune disease development and, more intriguingly, infectious diseases. Abundant evidence suggests that while IL-17 plays a crucial role in enhancing effective antiviral immune responses, it may also promote and exacerbate virus-induced illnesses. Accumulated experimental and clinical evidence has broadened our understanding of the seemingly paradoxical role of IL-17 in viral infections and suggests that IL-17-targeted immunotherapy may be a promising therapeutic option. Herein, we summarize current knowledge regarding the protective and pathogenic roles of IL-17 in viral infections, with emphasis on underlying mechanisms. The various and critical roles of IL-17 in viral infections necessitate the development of therapeutic strategies that are uniquely tailored to both the infectious agent and the infection environment.

scholarly journals Potential Role of Exercise Induced Extracellular Vesicles in Prostate Cancer Suppression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Jin-Soo Kim ◽  
Tian-Zhen Wang ◽  
Robert U. Newton ◽  
Daniel A. Galvão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Cancer Suppression ◽  
Tumor Suppressive Effect

Physical exercise is increasingly recognized as a valuable treatment strategy in managing prostate cancer, not only enhancing supportive care but potentially influencing disease outcomes. However, there are limited studies investigating mechanisms of the tumor-suppressive effect of exercise. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as a therapeutic target for cancer as tumor-derived EVs have the potential to promote metastatic capacity by transferring oncogenic proteins, integrins, and microRNAs to other cells and EVs are also involved in developing drug resistance. Skeletal muscle has been identified as an endocrine organ, releasing EVs into the circulation, and levels of EV-containing factors have been shown to increase in response to exercise. Moreover, preclinical studies have demonstrated the tumor-suppressive effect of protein and microRNA contents in skeletal muscle-derived EVs in various cancers, including prostate cancer. Here we review current knowledge of the tumor-derived EVs in prostate cancer progression and metastasis, the role of exercise in skeletal muscle-derived EVs circulating levels and the alteration of their contents, and the potential tumor-suppressive effect of skeletal muscle-derived EV contents in prostate cancer. In addition, we review the proposed mechanism of exercise in the uptake of skeletal muscle-derived EVs in prostate cancer.

scholarly journals Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer as Analytic Targets for Nanomediated Imaging and Therapy

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3083
Author(s):  
Cristiana Maria Grapa ◽  
Lucian Mocan ◽  
Dana Crisan ◽  
Mira Florea ◽  
Teodora Mocan
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Drug Toxicity ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Chemotherapy Response ◽  
Rising Incidence ◽  
Tumor Accumulation ◽  
Accumulation Ability

As the increase in therapeutic and imaging technologies is swiftly improving survival chances for cancer patients, pancreatic cancer (PC) still has a grim prognosis and a rising incidence. Practically everything distinguishing for this type of malignancy makes it challenging to treat: no approved method for early detection, extended asymptomatic state, limited treatment options, poor chemotherapy response and dense tumor stroma that impedes drug delivery. We provide a narrative review of our main findings in the field of nanoparticle directed treatment for PC, with a focus on biomarker targeted delivery. By reducing drug toxicity, increasing their tumor accumulation, ability to modulate tumor microenvironment and even improve imaging contrast, it seems that nanotechnology may one day give hope for better outcome in pancreatic cancer. Further conjugating nanoparticles with biomarkers that are overexpressed amplifies the benefits mentioned, with potential increase in survival and treatment response.

scholarly journals Role of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 in Cancer: Genetic Basis, Impact on Disease Development/Progression, and Potential as Therapeutic Targets

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 909
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kotowski ◽  
Jakub Rosik ◽  
Filip Machaj ◽  
Stanisław Supplitt ◽  
Daniel Wiczew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Cancer Tissues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic process in rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells. Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) is a key rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis. Its efficiency is allosterically regulated by numerous substances occurring in the cytoplasm. However, the most potent regulator of PFK-1 is fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-BP), the level of which is strongly associated with 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity (PFK-2/FBPase-2, PFKFB). PFK-2/FBPase-2 is a bifunctional enzyme responsible for F-2,6-BP synthesis and degradation. Four isozymes of PFKFB (PFKFB1, PFKFB2, PFKFB3, and PFKFB4) have been identified. Alterations in the levels of all PFK-2/FBPase-2 isozymes have been reported in different diseases. However, most recent studies have focused on an increased expression of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 in cancer tissues and their role in carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on all PFKFB genes and protein structures, and emphasize important differences between the isoenzymes, which likely affect their kinase/phosphatase activities. The main focus is on the latest reports in this field of cancer research, and in particular the impact of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 on tumor progression, metastasis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. We also present the most recent achievements in the development of new drugs targeting these isozymes. Finally, we discuss potential combination therapies using PFKFB3 inhibitors, which may represent important future cancer treatment options.

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