• The Function of Exosomes in the Early Diagnosis of Urological Cancers
  • Mahdieh Feizi Eliyas Abad,1,* Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh,2 Hadi Maleki-Kakelar,3
    1. Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
    2. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
    3. Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran


  • Introduction: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are secreted by donor cells, functioning as intermediaries in intercellular communication that is significant to human health and disease.
  • Methods: Given their crucial functions, exosomes are viewed as potential biomarkers for liquid biopsy. Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive approach that uses biofluid samples rather than tissue samples for cancer diagnosis.
  • Results: Exosomes are acknowledged as vital small extracellular vesicles released by all types of cells, facilitating intercellular communication in health and influencing various physiological and pathological processes by delivering cellular materials such as functional proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids to recipient cells. Exosomes play a significant role in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) through intercellular communication.
  • Conclusion: As essential immune stromal cells within the TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial in tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune evasion. This review consolidates the understanding of exosomes, which is highly relevant for advancing research into the clinical diagnosis of urological cancers.
  • Keywords: liquid biopsy, exosomes, extracellular vesicles, biomarker, diagnosis