Body Fluids-Derived Exosomes: Paving the Novel Road to Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Lung cancer is a major human malignancy. Nowadays, the lack of specific diagnostic markers of lung cancer restricts the early diagnosis and therapy of patients. Exosomes, as spherical 30-100 nm microvesicles, are released by normal and cancer cells in both physiological and pathological circumstances. Exosomes carry various molecular cargos such as miRNA, proteins, mRNA, DNA and lipids. Therefore, analysis of the molecular profiles of exosomes may provide beneficial biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Exosomes can be transported by body fluids. The molecules (miRNAs and proteins) detected in body fluid exosomes may contribute to lung cancer diagnosis. In this review, we summarize typical molecules (miRNAs and proteins) in body fluids-derived exosomes to reveal the potential biomarkers in lung cancer. Besides, the role and the application of exosomes in chemotherapy and radiotherapy of lung cancer patients have also been discussed in this review.