On Tuesday evening, Octobere 10, Muller Fabbri, MD, PhD, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, discussed the possible role of NK cell-derived exosomes and NK cell-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer therapy. He noted first that NK cell-derived exosomes exhibit cytotoxic activity against MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. In addition, these exosomes carry tumor suppressor miRNAs whose expression in tumors correlates with NK activation markers (i.e., NKG2D and DNAM-1) and harbor prognostic implications. Importantly, the scientists found that NK-derived exosomal miRNAs target key driver oncogenes in neuroblastoma and the TGF pathway that is responsible for NK immune-suppression within the tumor microenvironment. Targeted delivery of NK-derived exosomal miRNAs by nanoparticles to MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma or NK cells, resulted in inhibition of neuroblastoma tumorigenic potential and prevented the TGF1-dependent inhibition of NK cells. Taken together, Dr. Fabbri said, these data support a role for NK-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNAs as a potential therapeutic option alongside NK cell-based therapy. The American Society for Exosomes and Microvesicles (ASEMV) 2017 Annual Meeting was held October 8-12 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. The event was attended by 180 scientists from around the United States and world. This year’s meeting was organized by ASEMV President Dr. Stephen J. Gould of Johns Hopkins University, and sponsors of the meeting included Particle Metrix, CARIS Life Sciences, ReNeuron, Malvern, QIAGEN, Hitachi Chemical, iZON, System Biosciences, Beckman Coulter, Norgen Biotek Corporation, Hansa Bio Med Life Sciences, Lonza, and nanoView Diagnostics.Login Or Register To Read Full Story