About this Research Topic

Background

With the popularity of high-throughput RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis, the secretion and function of exosomal RNAs and proteins obtained from cells or body fluids have been revealed, and their role in predicting cancer development has received increasing attention. Exosomal RNAs and proteins provide clues to the mechanisms of exosome biogenesis, secretion, and receptor cell targeting. Exosomal RNAs and proteins play an important role in many aspects of cancer, including angiogenesis, tumor-associated immune regulation, and drug resistance. Exosomes in body fluids are selectively enriched for RNA and proteins characteristic of cancer lesions, allowing the identification of novel biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic evaluation. Transferring resistance information and immune function by delivering RNA and proteins are important features of exosomes, which exchange drug resistance information or cancer antigens between cancer cells and immune cells to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment and drug resistance. Deciphering the role of exosomal RNA and protein in cancers will provide novel avenues for therapeutic development.



This Research Topic aims to provide an overview of current advances in characterizing exosomes in different types of cancers, with a special focus on how exosomes facilitate intercellular communication, especially between cancer cells and immune cells, and the role of exosomes in early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We are especially interested in the mechanism of exosomal RNAs and protein enrichment and the mechanism of exosomal RNA and protein regulation of anti-tumor immunity and drug resistance. The contents of exosomes are used for tumor detection, tumor treatment, and prognosis as markers are an important tool for disease treatment. Dendritic cell-derived exosomes contain almost all antigen-presenting molecules, such as the CD86, MHC class I and II molecules, and CD1a, b, c, and d, and are therefore able to induce or amplify acquired immunity and activate intrinsic immunity through natural killer cells. Exosomes induce apoptosis or activity inhibition of T cells or natural cells by expressing some factors that alter the cell cycle and contribute to immune escape from tumors. Studies on chemotherapy resistance in tumors have shown that the more drugs used, the greater the release of exosomes and that exosomes are an important pathway for drug efflux out of the cell. Different subpopulations from heterogeneous populations in same cancer get drug resistance through exosome delivery. We also focus on new technology advances in exosome isolation and identification, as well as dynamic tracing. The means to modify the contents of exosomes to carry therapeutic drugs to the designated targets have become more sophisticated. To explore the role of exosomal RNA and protein in cell-cell communications, we can silence or activate exosomal RNA by exogenously embedding agomir or antagomir, inactivate or enhance the activity of exosomal proteins by neutralizing antibodies or recombinant protein treatment, and modify exosomal surface molecules by genetic engineering to specifically target the recipient cells.





In this Research Topic, we welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Minireview, Opinion, and Methods articles that address, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:

•Clarifying the specific functions of exosomes derived from different immune cells in tumor development

•Identification of novel exosomal RNAs and proteins and their role in early tumor diagnosis and prognosis

• The role of exosomal RNAs and proteins in tumor resistance and anti-tumor immunity

• New technologies for exosome isolation, identification, and dynamic tracing

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Exosome；RNA；Anti-cancer immune；Diagnostics；Therapeutic resistance

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