title: Plasma-derived exosomes in acute myeloid leukemia for detection of minimal residual disease: are we ready?
abstract: The recent emergence of plasma-derived exosomes as biomarkers of leukemic relapse has introduced the potential for more sensitive non-invasive monitoring of leukemia patients based on the molecular and genetic analysis of the exosome cargo. In principle, the protein, lipid, miRNA, mRNA or DNA profiles of exosomes in patients' plasma that associate with leukemic relapse can be identified. The diagnostic/prognostic value of these profiles could then be validated in prospective clinical studies. Here, we consider the potential of exosomes to fulfill the role of future biomarkers of minimal residual disease in AML. The rationale for developing exosome-based methodology for minimal residual disease detection is based on promising early observations. However, standards need to be established for evaluating exosome identity, isolation from body fluids, and assessment methods. The rapidly expanding knowledge of the exosome biology suggests that the exosome status as potential biomarkers may become clarified in the near future.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology , University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyiadzis
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pathology , University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Theresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Whiteside
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000097:blood*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Exosomes; acute myeloid leukemia; biomarker; leukemia relapse; minimal residual disease