Role of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, with morbidity of 5.26 per 100,000 population per year. These tumors are often associated with poor prognosis and terrible quality of life. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles secreted by cells and contain lipid, protein, DNA, mRNA, miRNA and other bioactive substances. EVs perform biological functions by binding or horizontal transfer of bioactive substances to target cell receptors. In recent years, EVs have been considered as possible targets for GBM therapy. A great many types of research demonstrated that EVs played a vital role in the GBM microenvironment, development, progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and even the diagnosis of GBM. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanisms and roles of EVs in these processes are unclear. It can provide the basis for GBM treatment in the future that clarifying the regulatory mechanism and related signal pathways of EVs derived from GBM and their clinical value in GBM diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, the research progress and clinical application prospects of GBM-derived EVs are reviewed and discussed.

Keywords: extracellular vesicles; glioblastoma; tumor biomarker.

Figure 1

Hallmarks of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are secreted by all kinds of cells and carry DNAs, RNAs, proteins, lipids and metabolites. EVs are important mediators of intercellular communication and affect all aspects of cell biology.

Figure 2

Functions of glioblastoma-derived EVs. EVs are involved in tumorigenesis, microenvironment, angiogenesis, immune response, invasion and chemoresistance by transferring oncogenic proteins and nucleic acids.