Extracellular Vesicle and Particle Biomarkers Define Multiple Human Cancers

Cell. 2020 Aug 20;182(4):1044-1061.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.009. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Abstract

There is an unmet clinical need for improved tissue and liquid biopsy tools for cancer detection. We investigated the proteomic profile of extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in 426 human samples from tissue explants (TEs), plasma, and other bodily fluids. Among traditional exosome markers, CD9, HSPA8, ALIX, and HSP90AB1 represent pan-EVP markers, while ACTB, MSN, and RAP1B are novel pan-EVP markers. To confirm that EVPs are ideal diagnostic tools, we analyzed proteomes of TE- (n = 151) and plasma-derived (n = 120) EVPs. Comparison of TE EVPs identified proteins (e.g., VCAN, TNC, and THBS2) that distinguish tumors from normal tissues with 90% sensitivity/94% specificity. Machine-learning classification of plasma-derived EVP cargo, including immunoglobulins, revealed 95% sensitivity/90% specificity in detecting cancer. Finally, we defined a panel of tumor-type-specific EVP proteins in TEs and plasma, which can classify tumors of unknown primary origin. Thus, EVP proteins can serve as reliable biomarkers for cancer detection and determining cancer type.

Keywords: biomarkers; cancer; cancer of unknown primary origin; damage-associated molecular patterns; early cancer detection; exomeres; exosomes; extracellular vesicles and particles; liquid biopsy; proteomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proteome / analysis
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tetraspanin 29 / metabolism
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPA8 protein, human
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Proteome
  • Tetraspanin 29
  • moesin
  • RAP1B protein, human
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins