Current Neurobiology Open Access

Emerging Role of Exosomes in Brain Tumor Progression and Treatment Resistance

George Boyd^* Department of Neurobiology, University of Pennsylvania, USA
^*Correspondence: George Boyd, Department of Neurobiology, University of Pennsylvania, USA, Email:

Received: 02-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. jcnb-24-21677; Editor assigned: 04-Sep-2024, Pre QC No. jcnb-24-20728 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-Sep-2024, QC No. jcnb-24-21677; Revised: 23-Sep-2024, Manuscript No. jcnb-24-21677 (R); Published: 30-Sep-2024, DOI: 10.21767/JCNB-24.3.27

Introduction

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles ranging from 30 nanometers to 150 nanometers in diameter that play a pivotal role in intercellular communication. They are secreted by various cell types, including cancer cells, and contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, such as microRNAs and messenger RNAs. In the context of brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma, exosomes have emerged as significant players in tumor progression and treatment resistance. Understanding the role of exosomes can provide insights into potential therapeutic targets and novel treatment strategies. Exosomes released by brain tumor cells can influence the tumor microenvironment, promoting tumor growth and invasion. They carry signaling molecules that can alter the behavior of neighboring non-cancerous cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells. For instance, gliomaderived exosomes can induce the activation of astrocytes, leading to a more supportive environment for tumor growth. They can also promote the recruitment of immune cells that facilitate tumor progression, rather than inhibiting it. Exosomes can facilitate the transfer of resistance factors between cells. For example, if a tumor cell develops resistance to a particular treatment, it can release exosomes containing miRNAs or proteins that confer this resistance to neighboring sensitive cells.

Description

Exosomes facilitate communication between tumor cells and their surroundings. They contain specific surface proteins and miRNAs that can modulate signaling pathways in recipient cells, promoting migration and invasion. For example, exosomal miRNAs can alter gene expression in adjacent healthy cells, leading to changes in cell behavior that favor tumor cell migration. This ability to enhance cellular communication contributes to the invasive nature of brain tumors. Exosomes can play a role in immune evasion by brain tumors. Tumor-derived exosomes can carry immune checkpoint proteins, such as PD-L1, which can inhibit T-cell activation and promote an immunosuppressive environment. By interacting with immune cells, exosomes can modulate immune responses, allowing tumor cells to evade detection and destruction by the immune system. Exosomes can also contribute to treatment resistance in brain tumors. They can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents, which can be delivered to tumor cells, thereby promoting drug resistance. This mechanism allows cancer cells to survive treatment by either degrading the drug or altering its target pathways. For instance, GBM cells have been shown to release exosomes containing ATP-binding cassette transporters that can pump out chemotherapy agents, thereby conferring resistance. This intercellular transfer of resistance mechanisms can lead to the rapid spread of drug-resistant phenotypes within the tumor. Given the significant role of exosomes in brain tumor progression and treatment resistance, they represent promising therapeutic targets. Strategies aimed at inhibiting exosome release or blocking their uptake by recipient cells could potentially disrupt the communication pathways that facilitate tumor growth and resistance.

Conclusion

Exosomes are emerging as critical players in brain tumor biology, influencing tumor progression and treatment resistance. Their ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment, facilitate intercellular communication, and promote immune evasion highlights their importance in the pathogenesis of brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma. Additionally, utilizing exosomes as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents could enhance treatment efficacy and reduce off-target effects. As research continues to uncover the complexities of exosome biology, targeting these vesicles offers exciting potential for improving therapeutic strategies and patient outcomes in brain tumor management. The integration of exosome research into clinical practice may pave the way for innovative approaches to combat brain tumors more effectively.