Exosomes: Potential Biomarkers and Functions in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Ting Li; Juan Li; Haitao Wang; Jiayu Zhao; Mingze Yan; Hongjiang He; Shan Yu

doi:10.3389/fmolb.2022.881794

Exosomes: Potential Biomarkers and Functions in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Front Mol Biosci. 2022 Jun 14:9:881794. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.881794. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Ting Li¹, Juan Li², Haitao Wang³, Jiayu Zhao¹, Mingze Yan¹, Hongjiang He¹, Shan Yu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
² Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
³ Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), originating from the mucosal epithelial cells of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, is a lethal malignancy of the head and neck. Patients with advanced and recurrent HNSCC have poor outcomes due to limited therapeutic options. Exosomes have active roles in the pathophysiology of tumors and are suggested as a potential therapeutic target of HNSCC. Exosomes in HNSCC have been intensively studied for disease activity, tumor staging, immunosuppression, and therapeutic monitoring. In this review, the biological mechanisms and the recent clinical application of exosomes are highlighted to reveal the potential of exosomes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HNSCC.

Keywords: biomarkers; drug carrier; exosome; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; therapeutic target.

Publication types

Review