Comparative proteomic analysis identifies exosomal Eps8 protein as a potential metastatic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.

Exosomes are small vesicles found in extracellular environments including blood, urine, and cell culture medium. Their contents are cell‑type specific, and molecules embedded in exosomes can be useful fluid‑based clinical biomarkers. To identify proteins with metastatic marker potential, we conducted a comparative exosomal proteome analysis using human pancreatic cancer cell lines derived from metastasis, ascites, and primary tumors.

Integrated analysis of gene expression and copy number identified potential cancer driver genes with amplification-dependent overexpression in 1,454 solid tumors.

Identification of driver genes contributes to the understanding of cancer etiology and is imperative for the development of individualized therapies. Gene amplification is a major event in oncogenesis. Driver genes with tumor-specific amplification-dependent overexpression can be therapeutic targets.

Exosome-mediated extracellular release of polyadenylate-binding protein 1 in human metastatic duodenal cancer cells.

Exosomes are small vesicles secreted from cells that transport their embedded molecules through bidirectional exocytosis- and endocytosis-like pathways. Expression patterns of exosomal molecules such as proteins and RNAs can be indicative of cell type since their signature is thought to be unique among cells. Using human primary (AZ-521) and metastatic (AZ-P7a) duodenal cancer cell lines, we conducted a comparative exosomal proteome analysis to identify proteins with metastatic marker potential.

Let-7 microRNA family is selectively secreted into the extracellular environment via exosomes in a metastatic gastric cancer cell line.

Background: Exosomes play a major role in cell-to-cell communication, targeting cells to transfer exosomal molecules including proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) by an endocytosis-like pathway. miRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules on average 22 nucleotides in length that regulate numerous biological processes including cancer pathogenesis and mediate gene down-regulation by targeting mRNAs to induce RNA degradation and/or interfering with translation. Recent reports imply that miRNAs can be stably detected in circulating plasma and serum since miRNAs are packaged by exosomes to be protected from RNA degradation.