Recent Progress of Exosomes in Multiple Myeloma: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapeutic Strategies

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy that is still incurable. The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM), with cellular and non-cellular components, can create a favorable environment for the survival, proliferation and migration of MM cells, which is the main reason for the failure of MM therapies. Many studies have demonstrated that exosomes play an important role in the tumor-supportive BMM. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles that can be released by various cells. Some exosomes contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of MM. MM-derived exosomes act on different cells in the BMM, thereby creating an environment conducive to the survival and growth of MM cells. Owing to the important roles of exosomes in the BMM, targeting the secretion of exosomes may become an effective therapeutic strategy for MM. In addition, the abnormal expression of “cargos” in the exosomes of MM patients may be used to diagnose MM or used as part of a screen for the early prognoses of MM patients. Exosomes also have good biological properties, including safety, biocompatibility, stability and biodegradability. Therefore, the encapsulation of anti-cancer drugs in exosomes, along with surface modifications of exosomes with targeting molecules, are very promising strategies for cancer therapies—particularly for MM. In addition, DC-derived exosomes (DC-EXs) can express MHC-I, MHC-II and T cell costimulatory molecules. Therefore, DC-EXs may be used as a nanocarrier to deliver cancer vaccines in MM. This review summarizes the recent progress of exosome research regarding the pathogenesis of, diagnosis of, prognosis of and therapeutic strategies for MM.