Potential Avenues for Exosomal Isolation and Detection Methods to Enhance Small-Cell Lung Cancer Analysis

Around the world, lung cancer has long been the main factor in cancer-related deaths, with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) being the deadliest form of lung cancer. Cancer cell-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNAs are considered promising biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosis of various diseases, including SCLC. Due to the rapidity of SCLC metastasis, early detection and diagnosis can offer better diagnosis and prognosis and therefore increase the patient's chances of survival. Over the past several years, many methodologies have been developed for analyzing non-SCLC-derived exosomes. However, minimal advances have been made in SCLC-derived exosome analysis methodologies. This Review discusses the epidemiology and prominent biomarkers of SCLC. Followed by a discussion about the effective strategies for isolating and detecting SCLC-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNA, highlighting the critical challenges and limitations of current methodologies. Finally, an overview is provided detailing future perspectives for exosome-based SCLC research.

Automated summary

Lung cancer, especially small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Cancer cell-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNAs have been identified as promising biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosis of various diseases, including SCLC. However, there have been limited advances in analyzing SCLC-derived exosomes. This review discusses the epidemiology and prominent biomarkers of SCLC, effective strategies for isolating and detecting SCLC-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNA, and highlights the challenges and limitations of current methodologies, providing an overview of future perspectives for exosome-based SCLC research.