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Review
. 2024 Apr 30;22(1):408.
doi: 10.1186/s12967-024-05201-y.

Exosomes in the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer-related cachexia

Qin Ru  1 , Lin Chen  1 , Guodong Xu  1 , Yuxiang Wu  2
Affiliations
Review

Exosomes in the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer-related cachexia

Qin Ru et al. J Transl Med. .

Abstract

Cancer-related cachexia is a metabolic syndrome characterized by weight loss, adipose tissue decomposition, and progressive skeletal muscle atrophy. It is a major complication of many advanced cancers and seriously affects the quality of life and survival of cancer patients. However, the specific molecules that mediate cancer-related cachexia remain elusive, and the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with muscle atrophy and lipidolysis in cancer patients still need to be investigated. Exosomes, a newly discovered class of small extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication, have a significant role in the onset and development of various cancers. Studies have shown that exosomes play a role in the onset and progression of cancer-related cachexia by transporting active molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. This review aimed to provide an overview of exosome developments in cancer-induced skeletal muscle atrophy and adipose tissue degradation. More importantly, exosomes were shown to have potential as diagnostic markers or therapeutic strategies for cachexia and were prospected, providing novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer-related cachexia.

Keywords: Cancer-related cachexia; Exosomes; Lipidolysis; Muscle atrophy; Non-coding RNAs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The role of exosomes secreted by tumor cells in cancer-related cachexia. The decomposition of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue induced by malignant tumors was regulated by many factors, including exosomes. Compared to normal cells, malignant tumor cells secrete more exosomes, and tumor cell-derived exosomes could affect other organs, such as adipose tissue and muscle, triggering lipidolysis and muscle atrophy, leading to cancer-related cachexia.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cancer-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs and proteins promote cancer-related cachexia. Non-coding RNAs and proteins in tumor cell-derived exosomes promote lipid loss by regulating intracellular lipid synthesis and catabolism and participate in cancer-related cachexia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Non-coding RNAs and proteins in tumor cell-derived exosomes promote muscle atrophy and participate in cancer-related cachexia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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