Exosomes may be a key in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer

Exosomes, once thought to be only cell waste, play an important role in cell-to-cell communication, and could help treat pancreatic cancer patients or detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage.

Read more about these virus-sized molecules here: Q&A: What are exosomes, exactly?

Modifying exosomes to treat tumors

Valerie LeBleu, assistant professor of cancer biology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is leading a team that is working on modifying exosomes to target genes associated with pancreatic cancer, delivering molecules that can destroy tumors. Using the technique in mice, they were able to stop tumor growth and therefore extend life.

Read the full article here: What Was Once Considered Cell Waste Could Now Treat Pancreatic Cancer

Additional articles: Exosomes facilitate therapeutic targeting of oncogenic KRAS in pancreatic cancer, Innovative therapy strategy for pancreatic cancer uses engineered exosomes targeting mutated KRAS gene

Early detection of pancreatic cancer

In addition to treatment, exosomes could detect pancreatic cancer before it becomes untreatable.   Read the article here: Exosomes as a platform for ‘liquid biopsy’ in pancreatic cancer