Exosomen en kanker

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: The institution where J. Hegmans is employed received financial support from the Stichting Asbestkanker [Asbestos-Related Cancer Foundation]; the institution where M. Broekman is employed received a Hersenstichting [a foundation concerned with diseases of the brain] Fellowship and financial support from the Schumacher Kramer Stichting [Foundation].

• Exosomes are a subtype of vesicles released by cells of both healthy and neoplastic origin.

• Preclinical studies suggest a role for tumour-derived exosomes in tumour progression, mainly through the transfer of RNA and proteins from tumour cells to other cells.

• The transfer of RNA and proteins by tumour-derived exosomes seems to mediate stimulation of angiogenesis and suppression of immune cells; in contrast, exosomes from healthy cells of the immune system appear to have anti-tumour characteristics.

• Characterisation of the RNA or protein profile of tumour-derived exosomes could have diagnostic or prognostic value, for example, in brain tumours.

• Anti-tumour therapies could be based on exosomes, for example, by blocking the formation of tumour-derived exosomes or having exosomes release therapeutic agents at specific sites.

• The most advanced application of this is the use of exosomes from dendritic cells in tumour vaccination; the safety of this has been demonstrated in phase I studies.