Abstract
The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been recognised in many fields of medicine for several years. More recently, it has become a topic of increasing interest in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS). With this narrative review, we have aspired to determine different aspects of those nanometrically sized theranostic particles, which seem to have promising potential as biomarkers in some of the most common diseases of the ORL-HNS by being available via less invasive diagnostic methods. At the same time, a better understanding of their activity provides us with new possibilities for developing specific target treatments. So far, most research has been oriented towards the role of EVs in the progression of head and neck cancer, notably head and neck squamous cell cancer. Nonetheless, some of this research has focused on chronic diseases of the ears, nose and paranasal sinuses. However, most research is still in the preclinical or experimental phase. It therefore requires a further and more profound understanding of EV content and behaviour to utilise their nanotheranostic capacities to their fullest potential.
Highlights
As defined by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles naturally released from cells, delimited by a lipid bilayer, which cannot replicate since they do not contain a functional nucleus [2]
EVs have been used in spheres of medicine other than ORL-HNS, but these discoveries have enabled the advancement of this trending topic to ORL-HNS
Research predominates on using EVs in diagnostics and the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC)
Summary
As defined by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), EVs are particles naturally released from cells, delimited by a lipid bilayer, which cannot replicate since they do not contain a functional nucleus [2]. They should be described at least by their (1) physical characteristics based on their size (small < 200 nm, medium/large > 200 nm) and density (low, middle or high); (2) biochemical composition (e.g., Annexin A5-stained EVs) and (3) condition of origin (e.g., hypoxic EVs) or cells of origin (e.g., apoptotic bodies, podocyte EVs). In addition to these requirements, EVs should be characterised in detail based on more specific protein markers to determine the EV nature and the degree of purity of an EV preparation, so as to enable specific analysis of small EVs and to document functional activities of EVs [2]
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