Microvesículas en cáncer de mama

Abstract

Microvesicles (exosomes and microparticles) are subcellular bodies. They constitute a cell-to-cell signalling system, both locally and at a distance, and are able to carry both cell surface biomarkers and genetic material, influencing cell behaviour. These vesicles participate in tumorigenesis, including angiogenesis and amplification of tumour clones, among other processes. They have been identified in some clinical series as markers of poor prognosis and even as markers of cancer-associated complications such as thrombotic events.These subcellular bodies have a promising role as a “transport vehicle” or “signal vector” to selectively direct microRNA or molecules able to modify tumour behaviour, and may even have a therapeutic role, through transmission of proapoptotic factors or tumour suppressors, respectively. In addition, selective microvesicle ultrafiltration systems are under development, which are able to eliminate those microvesicles that play a precursor role in tumour development.The results obtained in breast cancer are scarce but promising, insofar as they open up new areas of knowledge in tumour biogenesis, due to their value both in early diagnosis and in tumour prognosis and even as predictive biomarkers.This article reviews the literature on the role of microvesicles in breast cancer, with special emphasis on related clinical studies.