Urinary Exosomes: The Potential for Biomarker Utility, Intercellular Signaling, and Therapeutics in Urologic Malignancy Journal Article

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Authors: Franzen, C. A.; Blackwell, R. H.; Foreman, K. E.; Kuo, P. C.; Gupta, G. N.
Article Title: Urinary Exosomes: The Potential for Biomarker Utility, Intercellular Signaling, and Therapeutics in Urologic Malignancy
Abstract: PURPOSE: Exosomes are small secreted vesicles that contain proteins, mRNA, and miRNA, with the potential alter signaling pathways in recipient cells. While exosomes research has flourished, there are few publications that have specifically considered the role of genitourinary cancer shed exosomes in the urine and their implication in disease progression and utility as non-invasive biomarkers. In this review, we examine the current literature of the role of exosomes in intercellular communication, as biomarkers, and their potential as delivery vehicles for therapeutic applications in bladder, prostate, and renal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed and Google with the key words prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, exosomes, microvesicles and urine. Relevant articles, including original research studies and reviews were selected based on contents and a review of this literature was generated. RESULTS: Cancer exosomes can be isolated from urine using various techniques. Cancer cells have been found to secrete more exosomes than normal cells, and these exosomes play a role in cellular communication by interacting with and depositing their cargo into target cells. Bladder, prostate, and renal cancer exosomes have been shown to enhance migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. These exosomes have also been shown to increase proliferation, confer drug resistance, and promote immune evasion. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary exosomes can be isolated from bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer and serve as a potential reservoir for biomarker identification. Exosomes also have the potential for therapeutics, as siRNA or pharmacologic agents can be loaded into exosomes.
Journal Title: The Journal of urology
ISSN: 1527-3792; 0022-5347
Publisher: Unknown  
Date Published: 2015
Language: ENG
DOI/URL:

S0022-5347(15)05509-3
Notes: LR: 20151230; CI: Copyright (c) 2015; JID: 0376374; OTO: NOTNLM; 2015/08/20 [accepted]; aheadofprint