Exosomics in oral cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics - An emergent and imperative non-invasive natural nanoparticle-based approach

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022 Oct:178:103799. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103799. Epub 2022 Aug 27.

Abstract

Exosomes- the natural nanoparticles belonging to heterogeneous vesicles are released via nearly all sorts of cells, including tumour cells, to oprate intercellular communication. Selective packaging of exosomes amid nucleic acids, phospholipids, and proteins makes them ideal for intercellular communications occurring among different cells. The existence of exosomes has been validated in various biofluids, including saliva. Being non-invasive and in direct contact with oral malignant cells, saliva establishes itself as a preeminent source of early cancer biomarkers. In context, the role and providence of both recipient and donor secreting cells are persuaded through exosomal cargo.Several studies have emphasized the influence of exosomal contents in different stages of cancer development, reconciling interactions between tumour cells and their surrounding niche. More explicitly, a transformation of exosomal contents such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins can endorse tumour progression and help ascertain a secluded pre-metastatic niche crammed with substances that errand cancer cell proliferation,angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. The blooming field of exosomes has directed the evolution of high-end isolation and characterization techniques along with the development of an entirely new field- exosomics that comprises complete analysis of exosomal cargo in various physiological conditions, including oral cancer. Researchers have discovered multiple pathways involved in exosome biogenesis to understand numerous events associated with cancer progression. Tissue-specific packaging of exosomes makes them a novel source of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. The extent of the current review confers the contemporary perception of the versatile task of exosomes, especially salivary exosomes, as potential biomarkers in the progression and diagnosis as well as therapeutics of oral cancers and their potential employment in clinical applications.

Keywords: Diagnostics; Oral cancer; Proteomics; Salivary exosomes; Transcriptomics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipids / therapeutic use
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Nucleic Acids* / metabolism
  • Nucleic Acids* / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Lipids
  • Nucleic Acids