Patient-derived exosomes facilitate therapeutic targeting of oncogenic MET in advanced gastric cancer

A novel prognostic model based on migrasome-related LncRNAs for gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) represents a substantial public health challenge, characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality rates. Migrasomes, a newly discovered type of extracellular vesicle, have been highlighted as important contributors to cancer progression, though their specific role in GC remains unclear. To address this issue, we developed the first prognostic model utilizing migrasome-related long non-coding RNAs (MRLs). This model aims to deepen the understanding of GC pathogenesis and improve patient outcomes. Clinical and transcriptional data for 407 GC patients from TCGA were classified as training and testing sets. Through Pearson correlation analysis, 537 MRLs were recognized, and LASSO and Cox regression analyses further refined the list to four key lncRNAs (AC012055.1, LINC01150, AC053503.4, AC107021.2) for constructing the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated a significantly poorer prognosis for the high-risk group. PCA confirmed the model's robustness, and univariate and multivariate analyses validated it as an independent predictor of clinical outcomes. The ROC curve and C-index evaluations further affirmed the model's predictive power. We developed a nomogram combining the MRLs signature with clinical parameters to enhance prognostic accuracy. GO, KEGG and GSEA were performed on migrasome-related genes associated with GC. Furthermore, high-risk patients exhibited increased immune cell infiltration and reduced tumor mutation burden, both associated with poorer outcomes. Additionally, twenty-nine potential therapeutic agents were identified. This novel MRLs-based model provides crucial insights into GC biology and represents a valuable tool for improving patient management and therapeutic strategies.

Oscillating microbubble array-based metamaterials (OMAMs) for rapid isolation of high-purity exosomes

Exosomes secreted by cells hold substantial potential for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, the rapid isolation of high-purity exosomes and their subpopulations from biofluids (e.g., undiluted whole blood) remains challenging. This study presents oscillating microbubble array-based metamaterials (OMAMs) for enabling the rapid isolation of high-purity exosomes and their subpopulations from biofluids without labeling or preprocessing. Particularly, leveraging acoustically excited microbubble oscillation, OMAMs can generate numerous acoustofluidic traps for filtering in-fluid micro/nanoparticles, thus allowing for removing bioparticles larger than exosomes to obtain high-purity (93%) exosomes from undiluted whole blood in ~3 minutes. Moreover, exosome subpopulations in different size ranges can be isolated by tuning the microbubble oscillation amplitude. Additionally, as each oscillating microbubble functions as an ultradeep subwavelength (~λ/186) acoustic amplifier and a nonlinear source, OMAMs can generate high-resolution complex acoustic energy patterns and tune the patterns by activating different-sized microbubbles at their distinct resonance frequencies.

Extracellular vesicles: messengers of cross-talk between gastric cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment

Gastric cancer is a common malignancy characterized by an insidious onset and high mortality rate. Exosomes, a special type of extracellular vesicle, contain various bioactive molecules and have been found to play crucial roles in maintaining normal physiological functions and homeostasis in the body. Recent research has shown that the contents of exosome play a significant role in the progression and metastasis of gastric cancer through communication and regulatory functions. These mechanisms involve promoting gastric cancer cell proliferation and drug resistance. Additionally, other cells in the gastric cancer microenvironment can regulate the progression of gastric cancer through exosomes. These include exosomes derived from fibroblasts and immune cells, which modulate gastric cancer cells. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief overview of recent advances in the contents and occurrence mechanisms of exosome. This review specifically focused on the regulatory mechanisms of exosomes derived from gastric cancer and other cellular subtypes in the tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, we summarize the latest research progress on the use of exosomes in liquid biopsy, discussing the potential of gastric cancer exosomes in clinical applications.

Small Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) Induces Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase SLC27A4-Mediated Glycolysis to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Tumour-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV) are critical mediators within the tumour microenvironment (TME) and are known to regulate various metabolic pathways. In metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mass spectrometry protein analysis of HCC-derived sEV (HCC-sEV) identified an upregulation of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), a key enzyme in maintaining cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels. Our study demonstrates that sEV-NAMPT enhances glycolysis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis in HCC. Specifically, sEV-NAMPT activates the NF-κB transcription factor through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), leading to elevated SLC27A4 expression. SLC27A4 functions primarily as a long-chain fatty acid transporter and acyl-CoA synthetase. Lipidomic and metabolomic analyses revealed a positive correlation between SLC27A4 and intracellular levels of triacylglycerol (TG) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). Increased TG levels enhance lipolysis via hepatic lipase and facilitate the conversion of glycerol-3-P to DHAP, an intermediate that bridges lipid metabolism and glycolysis. This study uncovers a novel regulatory axis involving sEV-NAMPT and SLC27A4 in glycolysis, independent of traditional fatty acid metabolism pathways. Clinically, targeting sEV-NAMPT with the inhibitor FK866 significantly inhibited tumour growth in various HCC in vivo models, highlighting the potential of sEV-NAMPT as both a biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC.

Prospect of extracellular vesicles in tumor immunotherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as cell-derived small vesicles, facilitate intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME) by transporting biomolecules. EVs from different sources have varied contents, demonstrating differentiated functions that can either promote or inhibit cancer progression. Thus, regulating the formation, secretion, and intake of EVs becomes a new strategy for cancer intervention. Advancements in EV isolation techniques have spurred interest in EV-based therapies, particularly for tumor immunotherapy. This review explores the multifaceted functions of EVs from various sources in tumor immunotherapy, highlighting their potential in cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapy. Furthermore, we explore the potential of EVs as nanoparticle delivery systems in tumor immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the current state of EVs in clinical settings and future directions, aiming to provide crucial information to advance the development and clinical application of EVs for cancer treatment.

Exosomes in the Chemoresistance of Glioma: Key Point in Chemoresistance

Gliomas are the most ordinary primary virulent brain tumours and commonly used clinical treatments include tumour resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Although significant progress has been made in recent years in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with high-grade gliomas, the prognosis for patients remains poor. Chemoresistance refers to the phenomenon of decreased sensitivity of tumour cells to drugs, resulting in reduced or ineffective drug efficacy, and is an important cause of failure of tumour chemotherapy. Exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, are secreted by cancer cells and various stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and transfer their inclusions to cancer cells, increasing chemoresistance. Furthermore, depletion of exosomes reverses certain detrimental effects on tumour metabolism and restores sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we summarised the correlation between exosomes and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in glioma patients, the mechanisms of action of exosomes involved in resistance and their clinical value. We aimed to afford new thoughts for research, clinical diagnosis and intervention in the mechanisms of chemoresistance in glioma patients.

Emerging role of exosomes in cancer therapy: progress and challenges

This review highlights recent progress in exosome-based drug delivery for cancer therapy, covering exosome biogenesis, cargo selection mechanisms, and their application across multiple cancer types. As small extracellular vesicles, exosomes exhibit high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, making them ideal drug delivery vehicles capable of efficiently targeting cancer cells, minimizing off-target damage and side effects. This review aims to explore the potential of exosomes in cancer therapy, with a focus on applications in chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunomodulation. Additionally, challenges related to exosome production and standardization are analyzed, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues for their clinical application. In conclusion, exosome-based drug delivery systems offer promising potential for future cancer therapies. Further research should aim to enhance production efficiency and facilitate clinical translation, paving the way for innovative cancer treatment strategies.

The Role of Exosomes in Cancer Progression and Therapy

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles and are crucial in intercellular communication. Interestingly, tumor-derived exosomes carry oncogenic molecules, such as proteins and microRNAs, which can reprogram recipient cells, promote angiogenesis, and stimulate cancer pre-metastatic niche, supporting cancer growth and metastasis. On the other hand, their biocompatibility, stability, and ability to cross biological barriers make them attractive candidates for drug delivery. Recent advances have shown the potential for exosomes to be used in early disease detection and in targeted drug therapy by delivering therapeutic agents specifically to tumor sites. Despite the promising applications, a number of challenges remain, including exosome isolation and characterization, as well as their inherent heterogeneity. Thus, the current review aims to describe the roles of exosomes in health and disease, and discuss the challenges that hinder their development into becoming useful medical tools.

Recapitulating the Cancer-Immunity Cycle on a Chip

The cancer-immunity cycle is a fundamental framework for understanding how the immune system interacts with cancer cells, balancing T cell recognition and elimination of tumors while avoiding autoimmune reactions. Despite advancements in immunotherapy, there remains a critical need to dissect each phase of the cycle, particularly the interactions among the tumor, vasculature, and immune system within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Innovative platforms such as organ-on-a-chip, organoids, and bioprinting within microphysiological systems (MPS) are increasingly utilized to enhance the understanding of these interactions. These systems meticulously replicate crucial aspects of the TME and immune responses, providing robust platforms to study cancer progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic interventions with greater physiological relevance. This review explores the latest advancements in MPS technologies for modeling various stages of the cancer-immune cycle, critically evaluating their applications and limitations in advancing the understanding of cancer-immune dynamics and guiding the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic strategies.

A Novel Microfluidic Platform for Personalized Anticancer Drug Screening Through Image Analysis

The advancement of personalized treatments in oncology has garnered increasing attention, particularly for rare and aggressive cancer with low survival rates like the bone tumors osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. This study introduces a novel PDMS-agarose microfluidic device tailored for generating patient-derived tumor spheroids and serving as a reliable tool for personalized drug screening. Using this platform in tandem with a custom imaging index, we evaluated the impact of the anticancer agent doxorubicin on spheroids from both tumor types. The device produces 20 spheroids, each around 300 µm in diameter, within a 24 h timeframe, facilitating assessments of characteristics and reproducibility. Following spheroid generation, we measured patient-derived spheroid diameters in bright-field images, calcein AM-positive areas/volume, and the binary fraction area, a metric analyzing fluorescence intensity. By employing a specially developed equation that combines viability signal extension and intensity, we observed a substantial decrease in spheroid viability of around 75% for both sarcomas at the highest dosage (10 µM). Osteosarcoma spheroids exhibited greater sensitivity to doxorubicin than chondrosarcoma spheroids within 48 h. This approach provides a reliable in vitro model for aggressive sarcomas, representing a personalized approach for drug screening that could lead to more effective cancer treatments tailored to individual patients, despite some implementation challenges.

Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: there is hope for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Current approaches to oral cancer diagnosis primarily involve physical examination, tissue biopsy, and advanced computer-aided imaging techniques. However, despite these advances, patient survival rates have not significantly improved. Hence, there is a critical need to develop minimally invasive tools with high sensitivity and specificity to improve patient survival and quality of life. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive, real-time method for predicting cancer status and potentially serves as a biomarker source for treatment response. Liquid biopsy includes rich biologically relevant components, such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are particularly intriguing due to their relatively high abundance in most biofluids, with the potential to identify specific cargo derived from circulating tumor EVs. Moreover, normal cells in lymph nodes can uptake EVs, fostering a pre-metastatic microenvironment that facilitates lymph node metastases - a common occurrence in oral cancers. This review encompasses English language publications over the last twenty years, focusing on methods for isolating EVs from saliva, blood, and lymphatic fluids, as well as the collection methods employed. Seventeen cases met the inclusion criteria according to ISEV guidelines, including 10 saliva cases, 6 blood cases, and 1 lymphatic fluid case. This review also highlighted research gaps in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) EVs, including a lack of multi-omics studies and the exploration of potential EV markers for drug resistance, as well as a notable underutilization of microfluidic technologies to translate liquid biopsy EV findings into clinical applications.

Exosomal AHSG in ovarian cancer ascites inhibits malignant progression of ovarian cancer by p53/FAK/Src signaling

Background

The primary cause of mortality in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) is tumor metastasis. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying metastasis in OC is essential for accurate prognosis prediction and the development of targeted therapeutic agents. Our findings indicate that alpha-2 Heremans Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) is downregulated in OC exosomes. Consequently, the objective of this study was to identify novel prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for OC.

Methods

Exosomes derived from OC cells and patient ascites were purified and applied to OC cells to assess their migratory ability using wound-healing and transwell assays. AHSG expression was enhanced by overexpressing lentivirus, and the resulting exosomes were isolated and co-cultured with OC cells to verify their effect on the migration ability of OC.

Results

Exosomes in ovarian malignant ascites have been demonstrated to promote OC metastasis. However, our findings indicate that AHSG is down-regulated in OC tissues and ascites exosomes. Furthermore, overexpression of AHSG in OC cells has been shown to markedly decrease their migratory ability, as well as reduce the migratory ability of cancer cells after co-culture of its exosomes with cancer cells.

Conclusions

The low expression of AHSG in exosomes derived from OC tissues and ascites is associated with metastatic progression in OC patients. Additionally, cancer-derived AHSG can be transported to OC cells via exosomes, where it inhibits OC migration in vitro and in vivo by regulating the p53/FAK/Src signaling pathway. The present study demonstrated that AHSG, derived from cancer cells, exerts a negative regulatory effect on OC cell motility, migration, and metastasis. These findings suggest that AHSG is a potential candidate for OC treatment.

A comprehensive review of challenges and advances in exosome-based drug delivery systems

Exosomes or so-called natural nanoparticles have recently shown enormous potential for targeted drug delivery systems. Several studies have reported that exosomes as advanced drug delivery platforms offer efficient targeting of chemotherapeutics compared to individual polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes. Taking structural constituents of exosomes, viz., proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, into consideration, exosomes are the most promising carriers as genetic messengers and for treating genetic deficiencies or tumor progression. Unfortunately, very little attention has been paid to the factors like source, scalability, stability, and validation that contribute to the quality attributes of exosome-based drug products. Some studies suggested that exosomes were stable at around -80 °C, which is impractical for storing pharmaceutical products. Currently, no reports on the shelf-life and in vivo stability of exosome formulations are available. Exosomes are quickly cleared from blood circulation, and their in vivo distribution depends on the source. Considering these challenges, further studies are necessary to address major limitations such as poor drug loading, reduced in vivo stability, a need for robust, economical, and scalable production methods, etc., which may unlock the potential of exosomes in clinical applications. A few reports based on hybrid exosomes involving hybridization between different cell/tumor/macrophage-derived exosomes with synthetic liposomes through membrane fusion have shown to overcome some limitations associated with natural or synthetic exosomes. Yet, sufficient evidence is indispensable to prove their stability and clinical efficacy.

The Importance of Extracellular Vesicle Screening in Gastric Cancer: A 2024 Update

Extracellular vesicles, or EVs, are membrane-bound nanocompartments produced by tumor cells. EVs carry proteins and nucleic acids from host cells to target cells, where they can transfer lipids, proteomes, and genetic material to change the function of target cells. EVs serve as reservoirs for mobile cellular signals. The collection of EVs using less invasive processes has piqued the interest of many researchers. Exosomes carry substances that can suppress the immune system. If the results of exosome screening are negative, immunotherapy will be beneficial for GC patients. In this study, we provide an update on EVs and GC based on ongoing review papers and clinical trials.

Revisiting the advances and challenges in the clinical applications of extracellular vesicles in cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been the subject of an exponentially growing number of studies covering their biogenesis mechanisms, isolation and analysis techniques, physiological and pathological roles, and clinical applications, such as biomarker and therapeutic uses. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of EVs both challenges our understanding of them and presents new opportunities for their potential application. Recently, the EV field experienced a wide range of advances. However, the challenges also remain huge. This review focuses on the recent progress and difficulties encountered in the practical use of EVs in clinical settings. In addition, we also explored the concept of EV heterogeneity to acquire a more thorough understanding of EVs and their involvement in cancer, specifically focusing on the fundamental nature of EVs.

Environmental pollutants and exosomes: A new paradigm in environmental health and disease

This study investigates the intricate interplay between environmental pollutants and exosomes, shedding light on a novel paradigm in environmental health and disease. Cellular stress, induced by environmental toxicants or disease, significantly impacts the production and composition of exosomes, crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The heat shock response (HSR) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, activated during cellular stress, profoundly influence exosome generation, cargo sorting, and function, shaping intercellular communication and stress responses. Environmental pollutants, particularly lipophilic ones, directly interact with exosome lipid bilayers, potentially affecting membrane stability, release, and cellular uptake. The study reveals that exposure to environmental contaminants induces significant changes in exosomal proteins, miRNAs, and lipids, impacting cellular function and health. Understanding the impact of environmental pollutants on exosomal cargo holds promise for biomarkers of exposure, enabling non-invasive sample collection and real-time insights into ongoing cellular responses. This research explores the potential of exosomal biomarkers for early detection of health effects, assessing treatment efficacy, and population-wide screening. Overcoming challenges requires advanced isolation techniques, standardized protocols, and machine learning for data analysis. Integration with omics technologies enhances comprehensive molecular analysis, offering a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory network influenced by environmental pollutants. The study underscores the capability of exosomes in circulation as promising biomarkers for assessing environmental exposure and systemic health effects, contributing to advancements in environmental health research and disease prevention.

Patient-derived tumor spheroid-induced angiogenesis preclinical platform for exploring therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer

This study addresses the demand for research models that can support patient-treatment decisions and clarify the complexities of a tumor microenvironment by developing an advanced non-animal preclinical cancer model. Based on patient-derived tumor spheroids (PDTS), the proposed model reconstructs the tumor microenvironment with emphasis on tumor spheroid-driven angiogenesis. The resulting microfluidic chip system mirrors angiogenic responses elicited by PDTS, recapitulating patient-specific tumor conditions and providing robust, easily quantifiable outcomes. Vascularized PDTS exhibited marked angiogenesis and tumor proliferation on the microfluidic chip. Furthermore, a drug that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2, ramucirumab) was deployed, which effectively inhibited angiogenesis and impeded tumor invasion. This innovative preclinical model was used for investigating distinct responses for various drug combinations, encompassing HER2 inhibitors and angiogenesis inhibitors, within the context of PDTS. This integrated platform could potentially advance precision medicine by harmonizing diverse data points within the tumor microenvironment with a focus on the interplay between cancer and the vascular system.

Angio-Net: deep learning-based label-free detection and morphometric analysis of in vitro angiogenesis

Despite significant advancements in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technology and the acquisition of extensive data, there is an ongoing need for more effective and dependable data analysis methods. These concerns arise from the continued reliance on manual quantification techniques. In this study, we introduce a microphysiological system (MPS) that seamlessly integrates 3D cell culture to acquire large-scale imaging data and employs deep learning-based virtual staining for quantitative angiogenesis analysis. We utilize a standardized microfluidic device to obtain comprehensive angiogenesis data. Introducing Angio-Net, a novel solution that replaces conventional immunocytochemistry, we convert brightfield images into label-free virtual fluorescence images through the fusion of SegNet and cGAN. Moreover, we develop a tool capable of extracting morphological blood vessel features and automating their measurement, facilitating precise quantitative analysis. This integrated system proves to be invaluable for evaluating drug efficacy, including the assessment of anticancer drugs on targets such as the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, its unique ability to enable live cell imaging without the need for cell fixation promises to broaden the horizons of pharmaceutical and biological research. Our study pioneers a powerful approach to high-throughput angiogenesis analysis, marking a significant advancement in MPS.