Open Access

Roles of exosomes in cancer chemotherapy resistance, progression, metastasis and immunity, and their clinical applications (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Xiaoyan Wang
    • Yuan Zhou
    • Kaiyang Ding
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 19, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5224
  • Article Number: 44
  • Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Exosomes are a type of vesicle that are secreted by cells, with a diameter of 40‑100 nm, and that appear as a cystic shape under an electron microscope. Exosome cargo includes a variety of biologically active substances such as non‑coding RNA, lipids and small molecule proteins. Exosomes can be taken up by neighboring cells upon secretion or by distant cells within the circulatory system, affecting gene expression of the recipient cells. The present review discusses the formation and secretion of exosomes, and how they can remodel the tumor microenvironment, enhancing cancer cell chemotherapy resistance and tumor progression. Exosome‑mediated induction of tumor metastasis is also highlighted. More importantly, the review discusses the manner in which exosomes can change the metabolism of cancer cells and the immune system, which may help to devise novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. With the development of nanotechnology, exosomes can also be used as biomarkers and for the delivery of chemical drugs, serving as a tool to diagnose and treat cancer.
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July-2021
Volume 59 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Wang X, Zhou Y and Ding K: Roles of exosomes in cancer chemotherapy resistance, progression, metastasis and immunity, and their clinical applications (Review). Int J Oncol 59: 44, 2021
APA
Wang, X., Zhou, Y., & Ding, K. (2021). Roles of exosomes in cancer chemotherapy resistance, progression, metastasis and immunity, and their clinical applications (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 59, 44. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5224
MLA
Wang, X., Zhou, Y., Ding, K."Roles of exosomes in cancer chemotherapy resistance, progression, metastasis and immunity, and their clinical applications (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 59.1 (2021): 44.
Chicago
Wang, X., Zhou, Y., Ding, K."Roles of exosomes in cancer chemotherapy resistance, progression, metastasis and immunity, and their clinical applications (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 59, no. 1 (2021): 44. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2021.5224