Darweesh M, Mohammadi S. Missing link: Viral RNA signatures in circulating exosomes as early diagnostic biomarkers for gastrointestinal cancers. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2025; 17(9): 110110 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i9.110110]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Saeed Mohammadi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mouz University of Nizwa Campus, Nizwa 616, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman. s.mohammadi@unizwa.edu.om
Research Domain of This Article
Virology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Sep 15, 2025; 17(9): 110110 Published online Sep 15, 2025. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i9.110110
Missing link: Viral RNA signatures in circulating exosomes as early diagnostic biomarkers for gastrointestinal cancers
Mahmoud Darweesh, Saeed Mohammadi
Mahmoud Darweesh, Saeed Mohammadi, Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa 616, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman
Mahmoud Darweesh, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alazhr University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
Saeed Mohammadi, Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan 49341-74515, Iran
Co-first authors: Mahmoud Darweesh and Saeed Mohammadi.
Author contributions: Darweesh M and Mohammadi S designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript, and contributed to the writing, and editing the manuscript, illustrations, and review of literature; Both Darweesh M and Mohammadi S played important and essential roles in the conceptual design, critical review, and manuscript preparation as co-first authors; This collaboration was essential for the successful completion and publication of this manuscript.
Supported by the Oman Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, No. BFP/RGP/HSS/24/015.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Saeed Mohammadi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mouz University of Nizwa Campus, Nizwa 616, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman. s.mohammadi@unizwa.edu.om
Received: May 30, 2025 Revised: July 2, 2025 Accepted: August 13, 2025 Published online: September 15, 2025 Processing time: 108 Days and 15.6 Hours
Abstract
This editorial highlights the critical role of viral RNA signatures encapsulated within circulating exosomes as a potential missing link in the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Current diagnostic methods for virus-associated GI malignancies often fall short in detecting infections at subclinical or pre-cancerous stages. We propose that viral RNA-loaded exosomes, by offering stable, specific, and non-invasive biomarkers, can bridge this gap and revolutionize early detection compared to conventional approaches. As highlighted by Zhang et al in their recent review, viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C viruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and human papillomavirus, are well-established contributors to the pathogenesis of various GI malignancies. However, current diagnostic methods often underperform in detecting these infections at subclinical or pre-cancerous stages. We highlight the shared points between virology, exosome biology, and oncology, reinforcing the importance of viral RNA-loaded exosomes as a “missing link” in the early detection of virus-associated GI cancers. We also discuss current challenges, translational opportunities, and the requirements for clinical validation of these promising biomarkers.
Core Tip: Early and accurate diagnostic markers are essential for managing gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as their prognosis is linked to the stage of detection. This editorial emphasizes the potential of virus-enriched exosomes as a novel, non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of GI cancers, particularly those associated with oncogenic viruses like Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis B virus. The viral RNA signatures within these circulating exosomes serve as a crucial missing link, providing specific, and non-invasive biomarkers that can not only aid in distinguishing malignant from benign conditions but also offer insights into tumor progression and potential therapeutic targets.
