Review

Exosomal microRNAs: novel players in cervical cancer

Javid Sadri Nahand‡

Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

‡These authors contributed equally to this work

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Noushin Rezaei Vandchali‡

Department of Biochemistry & Genetic, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

‡These authors contributed equally to this work

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Hassan Darabi

Medical Genetics Research Center, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

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Mohammad Doroudian

Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

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Hamid Reza Banafshe

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

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Mohsen Moghoofei

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

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Farhad Babaei

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

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Arash Salmaninejad

Drug Applied Research Center, Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran

Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

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Hamed Mirzaei

*Author for correspondence: Tel.: +98 31 5554 0022; Fax: +98 31 5554 0022;

E-mail Address: h.mizaei2002@gmail.com

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E-mail Address: mirzaei-h@kaums.ac.ir

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9399-8281

Research Center for Biochemistry & Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

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Published Online:22 Sep 2020https://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2020-0026

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Abstract

Cervical cancer ranks fourth for both mortality and morbidity in women globally. Exosomes are considered as extracellular vesicles, secreted continuously by many cells with a size range from 30 to 150 nm. Exosomes can encapsulate microRNAs (miRNAs) and release them for cellular communications. This exosome-induced miRNA transfer is a novel strategy for genetic exchange among cells. This trafficking modality affects many pathological as well as physiological conditions. Moreover, exosomes can protect the miRNAs against harsh environments and keep them very stable. Given that a variety of exosomal miRNAs derived from cervical cancer cells can be targeted to recipient cells and contribute to tumorgenesis, it has been documented that exosomal miRNAs could be applied as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the treatment of cervical cancer. Herein, we summarize the pathologic and diagnostic roles of exosomal miRNAs in the cervical cancer. Moreover, we highlight the roles of exosomal miRNAs in other cancers.

Keywords:

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Vol. 12, No. 18

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Received 20 January 2020

Accepted 23 July 2020

Published online 22 September 2020

Published in print September 2020

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The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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