The Role of Exosomes in Pancreatic Cancer

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 4;20(18):4332. doi: 10.3390/ijms20184332.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the world, as a consequence of late diagnosis, early metastasis and limited response to chemotherapy, under which conditions the potential mechanism of pancreatic cancer progression requires further study. Exosomes are membrane vesicles which are important in the progression, metastasis and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. Additionally, they have been verified to be potential as biomarkers, targets and drug carriers for pancreatic cancer treatment. Thus, studying the role of exosomes in pancreatic cancer is significant. This paper focuses on the role of exosomes in the proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance, as well as their potential applications for pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: biomarker; chemoresistance; exosomes; pancreatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor