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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Review

Signaling by exosomal microRNAs in cancer

Authors: Germana Falcone, Armando Felsani, Igea D’Agnano

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

A class of small non-coding RNAs, the microRNAs (miRNAs), have recently attracted great attention in cancer research since they play a central role in regulation of gene-expression and miRNA aberrant expression is found in almost all types of human cancer. The discovery of circulating miRNAs in body fluids and the finding that they are often tumor specific and can be detected early in tumorigenesis has soon led to the evaluation of their possible use as cancer biomarkers and treatment-response predictors. The evidence that tumor cells communicate via the secretion and delivery of miRNAs packed into tumor-released microvesicles has prompted to investigate miRNA contribution as signaling molecules to the establishment and maintenance of the tumor microenvironment and the metastatic niche in cancer. In this review we highlight the recent advances on the role of exosomal miRNAs as mediators of cancer cell-to-cell communication.
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Metadata
Title
Signaling by exosomal microRNAs in cancer
Authors
Germana Falcone
Armando Felsani
Igea D’Agnano
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-015-0148-3

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