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Exosomes and breast cancer: a comprehensive review of novel therapeutic strategies from diagnosis to treatment

Abstract

Exosomes are nanosized vesicles, released by various cells, which have essential roles in intercellular communication locally and systemically through transporting their contents such as proteins and lipids as well as RNA. It was clear that the element of contents in exosomes reassembled with the emerging of cancers. Over the past decade, researchers paid more attention to the role of exosomes in breast cancer. The purpose of this review was to discuss the details of the biological characteristics of exosomes in breast cancer. The discussion would focus on the role of exosomes in breast cancer development, progression, metastasis and drug resistance, as well as related therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

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Correspondence to Y-J Liu.

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Wu, CY., Du, SL., Zhang, J. et al. Exosomes and breast cancer: a comprehensive review of novel therapeutic strategies from diagnosis to treatment. Cancer Gene Ther 24, 6–12 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/cgt.2016.69

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