Topic: Emerging Role of Exosomes and Exosomal MicroRNA in Cancer: Pathophysiology and Clinical Potential

Cancer remains a major challenge in modern medicine, affecting millions of lives across the globe. Despite substantial advances in our understanding of the disease, there remains an urgent need for novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. In recent years, vesicles, particularly small extracellular vesicles like exosomes, and their cargos, including microRNA (miRNA), have emerged as a promising frontier in cancer research, offering new insights into the pathophysiology of cancer and potential clinical applications.

Small extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, have long been recognized as vital messengers in intercellular communication. These tiny membranous sacs, secreted by various cell types, including cancer cells, carry a cargo of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Among these nucleic acids, microRNAs play a pivotal role, as they have the potential to regulate gene expression in vesicle recipient cells. Our understanding of the multifaceted roles of vesicles and vesicle-related microRNAs in cancer pathophysiology is continuously expanding. There is mounting evidence of their involvement in cell-to-cell communication within the tumor and its microenvironment. They act as both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive agents and influence processes such as angiogenesis, immune evasion, and the establishment of the pre-metastatic niche.

This Special Issue seeks to assemble a collection of cutting-edge research and expert insights into the emerging role of small extracellular vesicles and vesicle-related microRNAs in cancer. We aim to explore their diverse contributions to cancer pathophysiology and their clinical potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and innovative drug delivery systems. This compilation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of extracellular vesicles and their miRNA cargos in cancer. We hope that this collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and all those dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a world free from cancer.

30 Apr 2024