内容紹介
The Functional Role of Exosomes in Cancer Biology and Their Potential as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets of Cancer
Summary
Intercellular communication plays an important role in the regulation of various cellular events. In particular, cancer cells and the surrounding cells communicate with each other, and this intercellular communication triggers cancer initiation and progression through the secretion of molecules, including growth factors and cytokines. Recent advances in cancer biology have indicated that small membrane vesicles, termed exosomes, also serve as regulatory agents in intercellular communications. Exosomes contain functional cellular components, including proteins and microRNAs(miRNAs), and they transfer these components to recipient cells. This exosome-mediated intercellular communication leads to increased growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. Thus, researchers regard exosomes as important cues to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer biology. Indeed, several lines of evidence have demonstrated that exosomes can explain multiple aspects of cancer biology. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that exosomes and their specific molecules are also attractive for use as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Recent reports showed the efficacy of a novel diagnosis by detecting component molecules of cancer-derived exosomes, including miRNAs and membrane proteins. Furthermore, clinical trials that test the application of exosomes for cancer therapy have already been reported. From these points of view, we will summarize experimental data that support the role of exosomes in cancer progression and the potential of exosomes for use in novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer.
要旨
エクソソームは,エンドソームに由来する約40～200 nmの非常に小さな膜小胞であり,その発見からおよそ30年経った現在になって実臨床における有用性に期待が高まっている。その理由の一つとしてあげられるのは,この非常に小さな膜小胞のなかにはタンパク質分子だけでなく,mRNAやmicroRNA(miRNA)などの核酸分子をはじめ様々な分子が内包されており,細胞間のコミュニケーションに用いられていることであろう。特に,がん細胞においては細胞間コミュニケーションが重要であることはすでに知られているが,エクソソームはがん細胞がコミュニケーションを取る際に使用する“言語”のような役割を果たしている。がん細胞が発する言葉であるエクソソームの意味を理解することは,がんのバイオロジーの理解だけでなく,新規診断法や治療法の開発など臨床応用にもつながる。本稿では,がんにおけるエクソソームの生物学的意義に加え,その診断・治療への応用の取り組みについて概説する。
目次
Summary
Intercellular communication plays an important role in the regulation of various cellular events. In particular, cancer cells and the surrounding cells communicate with each other, and this intercellular communication triggers cancer initiation and progression through the secretion of molecules, including growth factors and cytokines. Recent advances in cancer biology have indicated that small membrane vesicles, termed exosomes, also serve as regulatory agents in intercellular communications. Exosomes contain functional cellular components, including proteins and microRNAs(miRNAs), and they transfer these components to recipient cells. This exosome-mediated intercellular communication leads to increased growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. Thus, researchers regard exosomes as important cues to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer biology. Indeed, several lines of evidence have demonstrated that exosomes can explain multiple aspects of cancer biology. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that exosomes and their specific molecules are also attractive for use as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Recent reports showed the efficacy of a novel diagnosis by detecting component molecules of cancer-derived exosomes, including miRNAs and membrane proteins. Furthermore, clinical trials that test the application of exosomes for cancer therapy have already been reported. From these points of view, we will summarize experimental data that support the role of exosomes in cancer progression and the potential of exosomes for use in novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer.
要旨
エクソソームは,エンドソームに由来する約40～200 nmの非常に小さな膜小胞であり,その発見からおよそ30年経った現在になって実臨床における有用性に期待が高まっている。その理由の一つとしてあげられるのは,この非常に小さな膜小胞のなかにはタンパク質分子だけでなく,mRNAやmicroRNA(miRNA)などの核酸分子をはじめ様々な分子が内包されており,細胞間のコミュニケーションに用いられていることであろう。特に,がん細胞においては細胞間コミュニケーションが重要であることはすでに知られているが,エクソソームはがん細胞がコミュニケーションを取る際に使用する“言語”のような役割を果たしている。がん細胞が発する言葉であるエクソソームの意味を理解することは,がんのバイオロジーの理解だけでなく,新規診断法や治療法の開発など臨床応用にもつながる。本稿では,がんにおけるエクソソームの生物学的意義に加え,その診断・治療への応用の取り組みについて概説する。