Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: The Functions of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Methods and Technologies Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2024) | Viewed by 10224

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Physics and Clinical and Optometric Sciences, Technological University Dublin, City Campus, Dublin 8, Ireland
2. Radiation and Environmental Science Centre, Focas Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, Dublin 8, Ireland
Interests: low dose radiation; non-targeted effects; out of field effects; individual radiosensitivity; biophotonics for cancer diagnosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Clinical Research Development and Phase I Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
Interests: B-cell malignancies; multiple myeloma; Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia; bone marrow microenvironment; tumor cell-bone marrow niche interactions; metastasis; neo-angiogenesis; epigenetic; clonal evolution; novel drugs; exosomes; microRNAs; signal transduction

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Guest Editor
1. Molecular Oncology and Embryology Laboratory, Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Surgery and Surgical Specializations, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
2. August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
3. Thoracic Oncology Unit, Hospital Clinic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: noncoding RNAs; microRNAs; piwiRNAs; lncRNAs; circularRNAs; extracellular vesicles; exosomes; biomarkers; lung cancer; colorectal cancer; lymphoma; leukemia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes and microvesicles, are secreted by most eukaryotic cells and participate in intercellular communication. EVs are considered to be involved in the development and progression of tumors from different tissue sources in numerous ways, including remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, promoting angiogenesis, and regulating the immune escape of tumor cells. Moreover, they have an active role in the metastasis process since they participate in the creation of the pre-metastatic niche and even enhance the survival and extravasation of circulating tumor cells. In addition, EV‐based drug delivery strategies in preclinical and clinical trials have been shown to dramatically decrease cancer development.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Extracellular vesicles in the detection of cancer;
  • Nucleic acids in cancer extracellular vesicles;
  • Proteins in cancer extracellular vesicles;
  • Extracellular vesicles as key components of the tumor microenvironment;
  • Extracellular vesicles and tumor immunity;
  • Extracellular vesicles in tumor angiogenesis;
  • Extracellular vesicles and cancer-associated fibroblasts;
  • Regulation of tumor growth and metastasis by extracellular vesicles;
  • Extracellular vesicles and tumorigenesis;
  • Extracellular vesicles and tumor ECM remodeling;
  • Extracellular vesicles and metastasis;
  • Tumor extracellular vesicles and resistance to therapy;
  • Extracellular vesicles and radiotherapy;
  • Extracellular vesicles and treatment monitoring;
  • Extracellular vesicles as nanocarriers of anticancer therapies;
  • Identification of EV biomarkers related to patient outcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Fiona Lyng
Dr. Aldo M. Roccaro
Prof. Dr. Alfons Navarro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • extracellular vescicles
  • cancer progression
  • drug delivery
  • cancer biomarkers
  • exosomes
  • liquid Bioipsy
  • therapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3723 KiB  
Article
Identification of miRNAs Present in Cell- and Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles—Possible Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer
by Marzena Lenart, Izabela Siemińska, Rafał Szatanek, Anna Mordel, Antoni Szczepanik, Mateusz Rubinkiewicz, Maciej Siedlar and Monika Baj-Krzyworzeka
Cancers 2024, 16(13), 2464; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16132464 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
Globally, an increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) prompts a need for the development of new methods for early tumor detection. MicroRNAs (also referred to as miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. [...] Read more.
Globally, an increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) prompts a need for the development of new methods for early tumor detection. MicroRNAs (also referred to as miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. MiRNAs are effectively transferred to extracellular vesicle (EVs) membrane sacs commonly released by cells. Our study aimed to examine the expression of miRNAs in four CRC cell lines and EVs derived from them (tumor EVs) in comparison to the normal colon epithelium cell line and its EVs. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from the culture supernatant of SW480, SW620, SW1116, HCT116 and normal CCD841CoN cell lines and characterized according to the MISEV2023 guidelines. MiRNAs were analyzed by small RNA sequencing and validated by quantitative PCR. The performed analysis revealed 22 common miRNAs highly expressed in CRC cell lines and effectively transferred to tumor EVs, including miR-9-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p, miR-200b-5p, miR-200c-3p, miR-425-5p and miR-429, which are associated with development, proliferation, invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells, as well as in vesicle maturation and transport-associated pathways. In parallel, normal cells expressed miRNAs, such as miR-369 and miR-143, which play a role in proinflammatory response and tumor suppression. The analysis of selected miRNAs in plasma-derived EVs and tumor samples from CRC patients showed the similarity of miRNA expression profile between the patients’ samples and CRC cell lines. Moreover, miR-182-5p, miR-196-5p, miR-425-5p and miR-429 were detected in several EV samples isolated from patients’ plasma. Our results suggest that miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p and miR-429 are differentially expressed between EVs from CRC patients and healthy donors, which might have clinical implications. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 2747 KiB  
Review
Extracellular Vesicle- and Mitochondria-Based Targeting of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Response to Radiation: Challenges and Perspectives
by Sergey Leonov, Anna Dorfman, Elizaveta Pershikova, Olumide Inyang, Lina Alhaddad, Yuzhe Wang, Margarita Pustovalova and Yulia Merkher
Cancers 2024, 16(12), 2235; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16122235 - 15 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1716
Abstract
During the cell life cycle, extracellular vesicles (EVs) transport different cargos, including organelles, proteins, RNAs, DNAs, metabolites, etc., that influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in recipient cells. EVs from metastatic cancer cells remodel the extracellular matrix and cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), [...] Read more.
During the cell life cycle, extracellular vesicles (EVs) transport different cargos, including organelles, proteins, RNAs, DNAs, metabolites, etc., that influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in recipient cells. EVs from metastatic cancer cells remodel the extracellular matrix and cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), promoting tumor invasion and metastatic niche preparation. Although the process is not fully understood, evidence suggests that EVs facilitate genetic material transfer between cells. In the context of NSCLC, EVs can mediate intercellular mitochondrial (Mt) transfer, delivering mitochondria organelle (MtO), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and/or mtRNA/proteinaceous cargo signatures (MtS) through different mechanisms. On the other hand, certain populations of cancer cells can hijack the MtO from TME cells mainly by using tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). This transfer aids in restoring mitochondrial function, benefiting benign cells with impaired metabolism and enabling restoration of their metabolic activity. However, the impact of transferring mitochondria versus transplanting intact mitochondrial organelles in cancer remains uncertain and the subject of debate. Some studies suggest that EV-mediated mitochondria delivery to cancer cells can impact how cancer responds to radiation. It might make the cancer more resistant or more sensitive to radiation. In our review, we aimed to point out the current controversy surrounding experimental data and to highlight new paradigm-shifting modalities in radiation therapy that could potentially overcome cancer resistance mechanisms in NSCLC. Full article
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25 pages, 1822 KiB  
Review
Applications of Urinary Extracellular Vesicles in the Diagnosis and Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer
by Stephanie F. Smith, Daniel S. Brewer, Rachel Hurst and Colin S. Cooper
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1717; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091717 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer among men in the UK, causing significant health and economic burdens. Diagnosis and risk prognostication can be challenging due to the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of prostate cancer as well as uncertainties in our knowledge [...] Read more.
Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer among men in the UK, causing significant health and economic burdens. Diagnosis and risk prognostication can be challenging due to the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of prostate cancer as well as uncertainties in our knowledge of the underlying biology and natural history of disease development. Urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs) are microscopic, lipid bilayer defined particles released by cells that carry a variety of molecular cargoes including nucleic acids, proteins and other molecules. Urine is a plentiful source of prostate-derived EVs. In this narrative review, we summarise the evidence on the function of urinary EVs and their applications in the evolving field of prostate cancer diagnostics and active surveillance. EVs are implicated in the development of all hallmarks of prostate cancer, and this knowledge has been applied to the development of multiple diagnostic tests, which are largely based on RNA and miRNA. Common gene probes included in multi-probe tests include PCA3 and ERG, and the miRNAs miR-21 and miR-141. The next decade will likely bring further improvements in the diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers as well as insights into molecular biological mechanisms of action that can be translated into opportunities in precision uro-oncology. Full article
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27 pages, 1756 KiB  
Review
CAR-T-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Promising Development of CAR-T Anti-Tumor Therapy
by Sara Pagotto, Pasquale Simeone, Davide Brocco, Giulia Catitti, Domenico De Bellis, Simone Vespa, Natalia Di Pietro, Lisa Marinelli, Antonio Di Stefano, Serena Veschi, Laura De Lellis, Fabio Verginelli, Francesco Kaitsas, Manuela Iezzi, Assunta Pandolfi, Rosa Visone, Nicola Tinari, Ignazio Caruana, Mauro Di Ianni, Alessandro Cama, Paola Lanuti and Rosalba Florioadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Cancers 2023, 15(4), 1052; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15041052 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5060
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogenous population of plasma membrane-surrounded particles that are released in the extracellular milieu by almost all types of living cells. EVs are key players in intercellular crosstalk, both locally and systemically, given that they deliver their cargoes (consisting [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogenous population of plasma membrane-surrounded particles that are released in the extracellular milieu by almost all types of living cells. EVs are key players in intercellular crosstalk, both locally and systemically, given that they deliver their cargoes (consisting of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, miRNAs, and DNA fragments) to target cells, crossing biological barriers. Those mechanisms further trigger a wide range of biological responses. Interestingly, EV phenotypes and cargoes and, therefore, their functions, stem from their specific parental cells. For these reasons, EVs have been proposed as promising candidates for EV-based, cell-free therapies. One of the new frontiers of cell-based immunotherapy for the fight against refractory neoplastic diseases is represented by genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) lymphocytes, which in recent years have demonstrated their effectiveness by reaching commercialization and clinical application for some neoplastic diseases. CAR-T-derived EVs represent a recent promising development of CAR-T immunotherapy approaches. This crosscutting innovative strategy is designed to exploit the advantages of genetically engineered cell-based immunotherapy together with those of cell-free EVs, which in principle might be safer and more efficient in crossing biological and tumor-associated barriers. In this review, we underlined the potential of CAR-T-derived EVs as therapeutic agents in tumors. Full article
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