Extracellular RNA: Emerging roles in cancer cell communication and biomarkers

Cancer Lett. 2020 Dec 28:495:33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.09.002. Epub 2020 Sep 8.

Abstract

Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are a type of RNA molecules that present in various biological fluids. exRNAs are heterogenous populations including small (e.g., miRNA) and long non-coding RNAs and coding RNAs (e.g., mRNA). They can exist in a free form or associate with carriers range from lipo- and ribo-proteins to extracellular vesicles such as exosomes in the extracellular fluids. exRNAs participate in cell-to-cell communication to regulate a broad array of physiological and pathological processes. exRNAs have been widely studied as a biomarker for cancer and other diseases. In this review, we will discuss the sorts of exRNAs with potential carriers as well as their roles in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Cell Communication
  • Extracellular Vesicles / genetics
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Untranslated