Exosomes are secreted by all cells, including tumor cells, and circulate in the bloodstream. Exosomes have been found to be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and pre-metastatic niche formation in pancreatic cancer (PC), thus facilitating the development and spread of PC. In recent years, accumulating studies have highlighted the potential diagnostic/early detection role of circulating exosomes in PC.
Fig. 1 Highlights the roles of exosomes in pancreatic cancer progression that includes cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and EMT. (Ariston Gabriel, Abakundana Nsenga, et al., 2020)
Overview of exosomes in cancer diagnosis
Exosomes, i.e. extracellular nanovesicles with a double membrane secreted by living cells, are typically 30-150 nm in size. Exosomes carry bioactive macromolecules of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. There is growing evidence that exosomes play an important role in intercellular communication by transferring biologically active donor-cell molecules to recipient cells, leading to physiological changes in the recipient and promoting tumor growth. There are several reasons for exosomes to be used as potential biomarkers for diagnosis/early detection, prognosis and monitoring of human cancer therapy.
- Exosomes are secreted by living cells and are often found in various body fluids, which facilitates the collection of exosomes and thus enables cancer diagnosis by minimal or non-invasive fluid biopsies.
- Analysis of exosomes allows earlier detection of abnormal changes in cells of origin.
- Tumor cells secrete more exosomes than normal cells, increasing the abundance of exosomes from the tumor and making the tumor information more detectable.
Circulating exosomes as biomarkers for PC diagnosis
Alfa Cytology is an integrated research, development, and manufacturing organization providing scientific services, primarily ranging from early discovery and development to preclinical research. Based on our experienced scientists and well-established technologies, we are able to provide customized exosome isolation, characterization, and exosomal cargo isolation and analysis.
- Exosome isolation and purification
According to the pros and cons of each method and the sample types, we provide the most appropriate method to isolate and purify exosomes. Our service can meet the requirements of fast, efficient, and high purity exosome isolation and purification, which greatly promotes the application of exosome biomarkers for PC diagnosis.
- Exosome characterization
- Exosomal cargo isolation and analysis
With the whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, we can achieve all-round profiling of exosomal RNA and exosomal DNA. Notably, we can help our clients to dig deeper into circulating exosomes and their cargoes as new biomarkers and evaluate their diagnostic value for PC, including:
-Circulating exosomal proteins
-Circulating exosomal miRNAs
-Circulating exosomal mRNAs
-Circulating exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)
-Circulating exosomal circular RNAs
-Circulating exosomal DNAs
Benefits of our services
- An optimized and well-established platform
- Professional technical support
- Ready to start your project once the contract is signed
- Best after-sale services
Would you like to know more about our PC diagnostic development services and solutions? We look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to contact us for general inquiries. Our professional and patient staff will contact you as soon as possible.
References
- Ariston Gabriel, Abakundana Nsenga, et al. "The involvement of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer." Molecular cancer 19.1 (2020): 1-9.
- Uddin, Md, et al. "Exosomal microRNA in pancreatic cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment: from bench to bedside." Cancers 13.11 (2021): 2777.
- Chang, Chao-Hui, and Siim Pauklin. "Extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer progression and therapies." Cell death & disease 12.11 (2021): 1-12.