The Application of Exosomal MicroRNAs in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer and Its Research Progress

Abstract

Despite great progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer under the efforts of researchers, the survival time of patients with pancreatic cancer is shorter than that of patients with other cancers. Thus, we have a great need for innovative therapeutic methods, including research and development of new drugs and innovation of administration methods. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicles wrapped by a lipid bilayer. Thanks to the low clearance ratio and strong specificity of exosomes in circulation, together with in-depth research on the surface protein of exosomes and a targeted modification method, there is a strong potential to apply exosomes in the transfer and even targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics, RNA, and natural products. Particularly, exosomes carrying microRNA show good application prospects in cancer therapy. This article is intended to summarize the progress of research relating to the treatment of pancreatic cancer via exosomal microRNAs.