Research progress on the functions of exosomes in colorectal cancer

Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles that secreted by a variety of cells, with the length of 40-100 nm and a lipid bilayer membrane structure. They are often observed in multiple body fluids and are important mediators in intercellular communication. Several researches demonstrated that exosomes are closely linked to the development, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this review, the role of CRC-derived exosomes in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of CRC were briefly summarized to provide a strategy for new therapeutic targets in CRC. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Exosomes; Biomarkers, tumor