Open Access

REVIEW

Extracellular vesicles as brain tumor biomarkers

by ZAREMA GILAZIEVA¹, DANIIL MOLDAVSKII¹, EKATERINA LUZINA¹, AISYLU KADYROVA¹, ALISA SHAIMARDANOVA¹, SHAZA ISSA², ALBERT RIZVANOV^1,3,*, VALERIYA SOLOVYEVA¹

1 Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, 420008, Russia
2 Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
3 Division of Medical and Biological Sciences, Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Kazan, 420111, Russia

* Corresponding Author: ALBERT RIZVANOV. Email:

BIOCELL 2024, 48(12), 1667-1681. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2024.058490

Received 13 September 2024; Accepted 28 November 2024; Issue published 30 December 2024

Abstract

Aggressive malignant brain tumors have a poor prognosis, and early detection can significantly improve treatment effectiveness and increase patient survival rates. Various methods are available for diagnosing brain tumors, with biopsy being one of the primary options. However, a biopsy is an invasive procedure that carries a risk of brain damage, highlighting the need for safer alternatives. One promising non-invasive method is liquid biopsy, which involves extracting extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different biological fluids. Most cell types can produce and release extracellular vesicles. EVs isolated from bodily fluids, along with the molecules they carry—such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids—can be used to diagnose brain tumors. This approach has the potential to replace labor-intensive and expensive diagnostic methods that can adversely affect patient health. This review discusses recent advancements in the use of EVs as biomarkers for diagnosing brain tumors.

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