Exosomal and Ectosomal Noncoding RNAs in Cancer–More Than Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers

Abstract

The release of exosomes and ectosomes carrying noncoding RNAs is addressed in the context of cancer, with focus on microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs as well as differences in RNA cargos produced by tumor and nontumor cells. The differential appearance of ncRNAs can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Beyond these possibilities, the spreading of pathological and beneficial messages deserves particular attention and will gain future importance. Especially the use of exosomes released by cells that overexpress ncRNAs with antitumor properties appears to be a promising strategy.