Abstract
Primary hepatobiliary malignancies include a heterogeneous group of cancers with dismal prognosis, among which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and hepatoblastoma (HB) stand out. These tumors mainly arise from the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes (bile duct epithelial cells) or hepatoblasts (embryonic liver progenitor cells), respectively. Early diagnosis, prognosis prediction and effective therapies are still a utopia for these diseases. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-enclosed spheres secreted by cells and present in biological fluids. They contain multiple types of biomolecules, such as proteins, RNA, DNA, metabolites and lipids, which make them a potential source of biomarkers as well as regulators of human pathobiology. In this review, the role of EVs in the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary cancers and their potential usefulness as disease biomarkers are highlighted. Moreover, the therapeutic value of EV regulation is discussed and future directions on basic and clinical research are indicated.
Highlights
Liver cancer is a major health problem worldwide, representing the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths [1]. This cancer involves a heterogeneous set of hepatobiliary malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and hepatoblastoma (HB), which mainly arise from the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and hepatoblasts, respectively [1, 2]
The etiology of the majority of CCAs is unknown, several risk factors may predispose for its development, including the presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), liver fluke infections, cirrhosis and congenital biliary disorders [3]
Likewise, increased expression of miR-21 was identified in serum Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with HCC compared to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients or healthy individuals, and correlated with cirrhosis and advanced tumor stage [106]
Summary
Ainhoa Lapitz 1, Ander Arbelaiz 1, Paula Olaizola 1, Aitziber Aranburu 1, Luis Bujanda 1,2, Maria J. Primary hepatobiliary malignancies include a heterogeneous group of cancers with dismal prognosis, among which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and hepatoblastoma (HB) stand out. These tumors mainly arise from the malignant transformation of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes (bile duct epithelial cells) or hepatoblasts (embryonic liver progenitor cells), respectively. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-enclosed spheres secreted by cells and present in biological fluids. They contain multiple types of biomolecules, such as proteins, RNA, DNA, metabolites and lipids, which make them a potential source of biomarkers as well as regulators of human pathobiology.
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