Exosomes potentiate NF-κB signaling, tumor progression, and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Worldwide, HCC is considered as one of the major cancer-related deaths. Tumor-derived exosomes play a potential role in HCC by mediating intracellular communication, immune responses, and antigen presentation. Exosomes communicate between the cells using proteins, mRNA, miRNA, lipids, and DNA present in their cargo. Increased understanding of exosomes and their role in cancer could lead to a powerful strategy for the treatment of HCC. In this chapter, we summarize the role of exosomes in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis and in NF-κB through its miRNA. MiRNA derived from exosomes of HCC cells can enhance and modulate TAK1 and downstream signaling in recipient cells. Exosomes have a greater potential in the near future making it as prognostic biomarkers; they can serve in anticancer drug resistance and immunotherapy in the near future.