Role of microRNA carried by small extracellular vesicles in urological tumors

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are minute vesicles secreted by various cells that are capable of transporting cargo, including microRNAs, between donor and recipient cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs approximately 22 nucleotides in length, have been implicated in a wide array of biological processes, including those involved in tumorigenesis. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal role of miRNAs encapsulated in sEVs in both the diagnosis and treatment of urological tumors, with potential implications in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, tumor microenvironment and drug resistance. This review provides a brief overview of the biogenesis and functional mechanisms of sEVs and miRNAs, followed by a summarization of recent empirical findings on miRNAs encapsulated in sEVs from three archetypal urologic malignancies: prostate cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer. We conclude by underscoring the potential of sEV-enclosed miRNAs as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets, with a particular focus on their detection and analysis in biological fluids such as urine, plasma, and serum.

Automated summary

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are tiny vesicles secreted by cells that transport cargo, including microRNAs, between cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in various biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs encapsulated in sEVs have significant implications in the diagnosis and treatment of urological tumors, particularly in prostate cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer. These sEV-enclosed miRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and can be detected and analyzed in biological fluids such as urine, plasma, and serum.