The biology, function and clinical implications of exosomes in lung cancer

Exosomes are 30–100 nm small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin that are secreted by all types of cells, and can also be found in various body fluids. Increasing evidence implicates that exosomes confer stability and can deliver their cargos such as proteins and nucleic acids to specific cell types, which subsequently serve as important messengers and carriers in lung carcinogenesis. Here, we describe the biogenesis and components of exosomes mainly in lung cancer, we summarize their function in lung carcinogenesis (epithelial mesenchymal transition, oncogenic cell transformation, angiogenesis, metastasis and immune response in tumor microenvironment), and importantly we focus on the clinical potential of exosomes as biomarkers and therapeutics in lung cancer. In addition, we also discuss current challenges that might impede the clinical use of exosomes. Further studies on the functional roles of exosomes in lung cancer requires thorough research. •Exosomes are closely related with lung carcinogenesis, metastasis, and prognosis.•Exosomes as diagnostic, prognostic markers and new drug targets are summarized.•Data on comparing exosomes to other liquid biopsy as biomarkers is needed.•The efficacy of Dendritic cell-derived exosomes needs to be improved in future.