Contributions and therapeutic potential of tumor-derived microRNAs containing exosomes to cancer progression

Exosomes are membrane-encapsulated vesicles found in a wide range of bodily fluids. They are key cell-to-cell communication mediators and biological process regulators. Growing data suggest that tumor cells communicate with other tumor cells and cells in the tumor microenvironment via exosomal microRNA (miRNA) release and transfer. More notably, exosomal miRNAs have been reported to function as signaling molecules in tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, stemness, chemotherapeutic sensitivity, apoptosis, and immune evasion. Exosomes offer the several benefits over traditional delivery methods like lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which makes them more considerable to be used as the carrier of therapeutic agents. Also, exosomal miRNAs could serve a predictive capability in several types of cancers. In this review, we emphasized recent advances in the functional significance of exosomal miRNAs in malignant cells' characteristics. Besides, we highlighted the clinical potential of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment. •Exosomes contain a variety of RNA molecules, the majority of which are non-coding.•Exosomal miRNAs could considerably affect several aspects of cancer progression.•Exosomal miRNAs offer the several benefits over traditional delivery methods.•Exosomal miRNAs prognosis in various cancers is also considerable.