Exosomes as Nanocarriers for Theragnostic miRNA Markers in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the leading cause of deaths related to carcinomas of lung by the involvement of several risk factors. Tumor cells, in general, exude larger quantities of biological macromolecules in comparison to their noncancerous opposites. Vesicular bodies or cavities created by the folding back of endosome membranes mingle with the plasma membrane and result in the release of exosomes into the extracellular space after which they enter proximal or distant cells of target. Exosomes are nanovesicles that can carry microRNAs (miRNAs) and other such macromolecules as cargos into the tumor environment by means of cell-to-cell communication. These materials transported by exosomes can act as indicators for oncogenesis and metastasis and result in resistance among therapy-sensitive cancer cells. The cargos inside the vesicles loaded with miRNAs vary according to their particular state and therefore can act as potential prognostic or diagnostic markers for a variety of diseases including lung cancer, especially NSCLC. Although the roles of exosomal miRNAs are unclear or contradictory, the possibility of using exosomes as efficient nanovesicles for the treatment of NSCLC using biological molecules such as miRNA remains critical. Hence, this review focuses on the roles of exosomal and cell-free miRNA in NSCLC therapy at preclinical and clinical levels.