Open Access

An emerging role of radiation‑induced exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and radioresistance (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Qing Fan
    • Yue Yu
    • Yueling Zhou
    • Sheng Zhang
    • Chunli Wu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 9, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2022.5336
  • Article Number: 46
  • Copyright: © Fan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide are increasing, and the role of radiotherapy is currently under discussion. Radioresistance is one of the most important challenges in the therapy of HCC compared with other local advanced, recurrent and metastatic cancers. The mechanisms of radioresistance are complex and remain to be fully understood; however, extracellular vesicles have been investigated in recent studies. Exosomes, which are 40‑ to 150‑nm extracellular vesicles released by cancer cells, contain multiple pathogenic components, including proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, and play critical functions in cancer progression. Emerging data indicate a diagnosis potential for exosomes in HCC, since radiation‑derived exosomes promote radioresistance. Radiation‑based therapy alters the contents and components of exosomes, suggesting that exosomes and their components may serve as prognostic and predictive biomarkers to monitor radiation response. Therefore, understanding the roles and mechanisms of exosomes in HCC progression and radiation response during HCC therapy may increase our knowledge concerning the roles of exosomes in radioresistance, and may lead to novel approaches for HCC prognosis and treatment. The current review summarizes recent studies on exosome involvement in HCC and the molecular changes in exosome components during HCC progression. It also discusses the functions of exosomes in HCC therapy, and highlights the importance of exosomes in HCC progression and resistance for the development of novel therapies.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

April-2022
Volume 60 Issue 4

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

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Fan Q, Yu Y, Zhou Y, Zhang S and Wu C: An emerging role of radiation‑induced exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and radioresistance (Review). Int J Oncol 60: 46, 2022
APA
Fan, Q., Yu, Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, S., & Wu, C. (2022). An emerging role of radiation‑induced exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and radioresistance (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 60, 46. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2022.5336
MLA
Fan, Q., Yu, Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, S., Wu, C."An emerging role of radiation‑induced exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and radioresistance (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 60.4 (2022): 46.
Chicago
Fan, Q., Yu, Y., Zhou, Y., Zhang, S., Wu, C."An emerging role of radiation‑induced exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and radioresistance (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 60, no. 4 (2022): 46. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2022.5336