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INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF

CancerGenetics

• From Discovery to Therapeutic Frontiers: The Multifunctional Role of Exosomes

• Shirin Dehghan,^1,* Nasim Kardan,² Bita Jalalieh,³ Abolfazl Mohammadi,⁴
  2. Azad Islamic University
  3. Azad Islamic University
  4. Azad Islamic University
  
  
  
• Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures enclosed by lipid bilayers that are secreted by various cell types under normal physiological conditions or in response to specific biological signals. These vesicles consist of heterogenous populations differing in size and the subcellular origin of their membranes. The term "exosome" was first introduced in the 1980s., following by discovery that these vesicles are released upon the fusion of multicellular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane during the maturation of reticulocytes.
• Methods: Exosomes play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes, including viral infections, immune responses, mammalian development, and reproduction. Notably, their functions can differ based on the originating cell type and biological context; for instance, exosomes from leukocytes containing IFNa can inhibit viral replication, while those released from infected cells may facilitate it. They also present new opportunities for drug delivery, offering advantages over conventional carriers such as liposomes. Key features that enhance their potential include the presence of membrane-anchored proteins that promote endocytosis and effective payload delivery, as well as their bioengineered surfaces, which are less prone to protein corona formation. Certain exosomes can influence immune responses by modulating phagocytosis, as demonstrated by exosomes derived from CD47-overexpressing fibroblasts, which reduce clearance by monocytes and macrophages while enhancing uptake by neoplastic cells. Advances technologies like microfluidics and nanopore sequencing are improving the isolation and characterization of exosomes, enhancing their potential in personalized medicine. By utilizing exosomes-based diagnostics and therapies, researchers aim to deepen the understanding of disease mechanisms and develop targeted treatment strategies that could significantly improve cancer therapy and patient outcomes.
• Results: As our understanding of cell-to-cell communication evolves, it is now recognized that EVs, especially exosomes, can transfer diverse molecular cargos_ such as microRNAs, messenger RNAs and proteins_ both locally and to distant target cells. They are implicated in critical processes like angiogenesis, metastasis, and modulation of immune responses, highlighting their significance as both biomarkers and therapeutic agents in cancer.
• Conclusion: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication and influence a variety of biological processes, including immune modulation, viral response, and cancer progression. Their capacity to encapsulate and transport bioactive molecules makes them valuable as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the engineering of exosomes for enhanced drug delivery presents innovative opportunities in targeted therapies. Further research should focus on elucidating the specific molecular mechanism of exosome-mediated their utility in regenerative medicine and personalized therapies.
• Keywords: Extracellular vesicles (EVs)- Exosomes- Drug delivery- Biomarker