Exosomes and cholangiocarcinoma: mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic perspectives

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant solid tumor originating from the biliary tract epithelium. Due to its aggressive behavior and late clinical presentation, it poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Therefore, finding specific biomarkers and early screening of CCA susceptible people are the current top priorities. Exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles, are secreted by many cells and widely distributed in body fluids. In recent years, exosomes are known to play pivotal roles in cell communication, tumorigenesis, metastasis, and immune modulation. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the relationship between exosomes and cholangiocarcinoma, with a focus on their biological functions, diagnostic implications, and therapeutic potentials.