Dear Colleagues,

This issue invites investigators to contribute original research reports as well as review articles that describe studies on cancer exosomes.
Recent studies have shown that most cells constitutively secrete nanovesicles (50-150 nm) called exosomes through a distinct biogenesis pathway, not via the Golgi secretory pathway. The exosomal contents reflect the cells of origin. The release of exosomes is exacerbated in tumors leading to their increased presence in plasma, ascites, urine and other bodily fluids of cancer patients. However, the exosome field is still nascent, and lacks tools required for selective isolation of cancer-derived exosomes separate from other exosomes produced by other cells that are found in bodily fluids.
Recent advances in genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic research pave the way to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex changes taking place in the locally involved cells and tissues, and of the interplay between the tumor and the rest of the organism. Exosomes have a double layered membrane containing an array of proteins, microRNA or mRNA, lipids, metabolites and potentially other tumor markers. Moreover, the exosomes are known to be involved in cell to cell interactions, including those which “educate” the tumor niche, encouraging the growth of tumor cells in secondary environments.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Development of new techniques/assays for isolation of cancer-specific exosomes from bodily fluids and validation of these techniques against existing methodology.
• Identification of novel prognostic biomarkers isolated from cancer derived exosomes in the  urine or circulation of cancer patients, eg that can predict metastases, or indicate treatment response and treatment resistance
• Identification of cell to cell interactions between exosomes from cancer cells and other tissues and their role in cancer initiation or progression. These can include preclinical studies.
• Studies that shed light on the mechanisms of release of exosomes from cancer cells.
• Discussion of possible future developments based on studies of cancer specific exosomes towards a better understanding of cancer biology, and how such advances may be translated into improved patient management.

Prof. Dr. Pamela Russell
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• cancer-specific exosome capture
• exosomal biomarkers
• exosomal miRNA
• exosomal proteomics
• exosomal metabolomics
• exosomal lipidomics
• cell to cell communications