Ultra-sensitive liquid biopsy of circulating extracellular vesicles using ExoScreen

TLDR

Cancer cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into circulation, and while EVs hold promise as cancer biomarkers, their identification and quantification in clinical samples remain difficult. The study aims to develop a sensitive, rapid liquid‑biopsy technique that profiles circulating EVs directly from blood of colorectal cancer patients. EVs are captured by two antibody types and detected with photosensitizer‑beads, enabling purification‑free detection of cancer‑derived EVs. Using the CD147 antigen on EVs, the method detects colorectal cancer and offers a highly sensitive liquid biopsy with translational diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Yoshioka et al.

Abstract

Cancer cells secrete small membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) into their microenvironment and circulation. Although their potential as cancer biomarkers has been promising, the identification and quantification of EVs in clinical samples remains challenging. Here we describe a sensitive and rapid analytical technique for profiling circulating EVs directly from blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer. EVs are captured by two types of antibodies and are detected by photosensitizer-beads, which enables us to detect cancer-derived EVs without a purification step. We also show that circulating EVs can be used for detection of colorectal cancer using the antigen CD147, which is embedded in cancer-linked EVs. This work describes a new liquid biopsy technique to sensitively detect disease-specific circulating EVs and provides perspectives in translational medicine from the standpoint of diagnosis and therapy. The potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as cancer biomarkers is substantial. Here, Yoshioka et al. describe a sensitive technique to analyse EVs directly from blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer, highlighting a liquid biopsy technique with cancer-detection possibilities.