Cell derived exosomes have different specialized roles throughout the human body. In cancer they have been previously shown to be exchanged between cells modifying the tumor microenvironment and contributing to the progression of solid tumors. Until recently little research has been performed on lymphoma exosomes and their role in tumor initiation and progression. During the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, we presented results that determined tumor-derived exosomes are not only exchanged between tumor and immune cells, but also between lymphoma cells with various biological consequences.
We characterized exosomes secreted by six DLBCL cell lines from four primary DLBCL tumors, and two normal control B cell samples, optimizing their purification and studying their nucleic acid content. We found that the exosomal exchange that takes place between tumor cells and from tumor to healthy B-cells can modulate fundamental biological processes including drug resistance, and cell proliferation, survival, and induction of apoptosis. This process is caused by the incorporation of exosomal RNA with resulting effects on the transciptome of recipient cells. Sequencing analysis of exosomal RNAs is ongoing and will help to elucidate the biological role of exosomes in DLBCL and the potential for new therapeutic targets.
New Developments in Lymphoma 