Cancer stem cell exosome message transfer into pancreatic non-cancer stem cells: The importance of CD44v6

Cancer stem cell exosomes (CIC-TEX) promote EMT in Non-CIC. Deep sequencing revealed that transferred CIC-TEX, not directly accounting for the altered Non-CIC mRNA and miRNA profile, trigger activation of Non-CIC inherent programs including signal transduction, transcription, translation and miRNA processing. The CIC marker CD44v6 plays a central role by its association with RTK and the mRNA processing machinery. In vivo controls suggest a blockade of CIC markers offering a most promising option in adjuvant therapy.