MicroRNAs Derived from Extracellular Vesicles: Keys to Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Response in Cancer Patients?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) provoked a global pandemic identified as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with millions of deaths worldwide. However, several important questions regarding its impact on public health remain unanswered, such as the impact of vaccination on vulnerable subpopulations such as cancer patients. Cytokine storm and a sustained inflammatory state are commonly associated with immune cell depletion, being manifested in most immunocompromised individuals. This strong immunosuppression can lead to a dysfunctional antiviral response to natural viral infection and compromised vaccination response. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles released from cells that are involved in intercellular communication. EVs carry various molecules including microRNAs that play a crucial role in COVID-19 pathophysiology, influencing cellular responses. This review summarizes the state of the art concerning the role of EV-derived miRNAs in COVID-19 infection and their potential use as prognosis biomarkers for vaccination response in cancer patients.

Automated summary

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. However, there are still unanswered questions regarding its impact on public health, such as the effect of vaccination on vulnerable populations like cancer patients. Immunosuppression in these individuals can lead to a dysfunctional antiviral response to viral infection and compromised vaccination response. This review focuses on the role of extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs in COVID-19 infection and their potential as prognostic biomarkers for vaccination response in cancer patients.