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Versatile roles of extracellular vesicles in cancer
Nobuyoshi Kosaka, … , Yu Fujita, Takahiro Ochiya
Nobuyoshi Kosaka, … , Yu Fujita, Takahiro Ochiya
Published March 14, 2016
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2016;126(4):1163-1172. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI81130.
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Versatile roles of extracellular vesicles in cancer

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Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that non–cell-autonomous regulation of cancer cells is an important aspect of tumorigenesis. Cancer cells need to communicate with stromal cells by humoral factors such as VEGF, FGFs, and Wnt in order to survive. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have also been shown to be involved in cell-cell communication between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment and to be important for the development of cancer. In addition, these EVs contain small noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), which contribute to the malignancy of cancer cells. Here, we provide an overview of current research on EVs, especially miRNAs in EVs. We also propose strategies to treat cancers by targeting EVs around cancer cells.

Authors

Nobuyoshi Kosaka, Yusuke Yoshioka, Yu Fujita, Takahiro Ochiya

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Figure 3

Therapeutic strategies against cancer-derived EVs.

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Therapeutic strategies against cancer-derived EVs.
EVs are secreted from...
EVs are secreted from cancer cells and delivered to recipient cells, modulating their phenotype. For example, EVs from cancer cells are delivered to endothelial cells, which enhances angiogenesis to obtain the oxygen and nutrition required for continued growth of the cancer. We propose the following therapeutic applications: inhibition of cancer cell EV production, disruption of EV uptake by recipient cells, and elimination of circulating cancer cell–derived EVs. These therapeutic strategies will prevent the delivery of EVs from cancer cells to microenvironmental cells, leading to the development of novel antiangiogenic and anticancer drugs.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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