Abstract
Exosomes are emerging as essential vehicles mediated cross-talk between different types of cells in tumor microenvironment. The extensive exploration of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) enhances our comprehension of cancer biology referring to tumor growth, metastasis, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Besides, the versatile roles of exosomes provide reasonable explanations for the propensity for liver metastasis of gastric cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The selective-enriched components, especially some specific proteins and noncoding RNAs in exosomes, have great potential as noninvasive biomarkers of HCC with high sensitivity and specificity. The characteristics of exosomes further inspire frontier research to interrupt intercellular malignant signals by controlling the biogenesis, release, or contents of exosomes.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which mainly develops in the context of chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis [1], is of great concern worldwide because of its high morbidity and mortality rates [2, 3]
Studies reveal that every step of tumorigenesis and development of HCC depends on the intricate interactions with the tumor microenvironment, which comprises fibroblasts, endothelial cells, cancer stem cells, myeloid cells, and the associated soluble cytokines [6]
We summarize the multifaceted roles of exosomes in the tumor microenvironment in HCC and liver metastasis
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which mainly develops in the context of chronic inflammation and liver fibrosis [1], is of great concern worldwide because of its high morbidity and mortality rates [2, 3]. Studies reveal that every step of tumorigenesis and development of HCC depends on the intricate interactions with the tumor microenvironment, which comprises fibroblasts, endothelial cells, cancer stem cells, myeloid cells, and the associated soluble cytokines [6]. It has emerged that exosomes serve as crucial regulator of the tumor microenvironment by promoting HCC onset and metastasis. Tumor-derived exosomes carry regulatory molecules and tumor antigens that are beneficial for the survival of cancer cells and the development of the malignant phenotype. Exosomes derived from cancerassociated fibroblasts (CAFs) show a synergetic effect with cancer cells in optimizing the tumor microenvironment. We summarize the multifaceted roles of exosomes in the tumor microenvironment in HCC and liver metastasis. The potential utility of exosomes as noninvasive biomarkers and in therapy for HCC is discussed
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