Harnessing the potential of small extracellular vesicle biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis with advanced analytical technologies

Abstract

<p>Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), also referred as exosomes, have emerged as valuable indicators of cancer progression and response to treatment. They offer prospective targets for therapeutic interventions as well as insightful information about the fundamental mechanisms underlying the development of cancer. sEVs have garnered significant attention as a useful tool for liquid biopsies used in non-invasive cancer diagnosis. We discussed their potential in predicting treatment outcomes, monitoring disease progression, and classifying cancer stages and subtypes. sEVs can also shed light on how resistance to several cancer treatments, such as drug resistance, radiation resistance, chemotherapy resistance, and immunotherapy resistance develops. sEV-based cancer diagnostics have initiated clinical trials, underscoring their potential clinical value. Additionally, significant progress has been made in the development of techniques for isolating and enriching sEVs, enabling the sensitive and efficient detection of sEV proteins and nucleic acids. These advancements have resulted in enhanced sensitivity and specificity, facilitating the identification of biomarkers with low expression levels. In conclusion, sEV biomarkers offer significant potential for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The utilization of sEVs in liquid biopsies presents a non-invasive method for acquiring tumour-specific information. Ongoing research and advancements in sEV-based diagnostics and therapeutics are crucial for unlocking the complete potential of sEV biomarkers in clinical settings.</p>