Circular RNA and its potential as prostate cancer biomarkers

Figure 2 The disproportion of circRNAs between tumor and plasma. A: CircRNAs can be selectively enriched in exosomes and actively released into plasma as exosomes. During PCa progression, the integrity of normal prostatic tissues will be interrupted; this facilitates the release of circRNAs into the bloodstream; B: Stresses such as hypoxia, inflammation, and anti-tumor therapies will cause cell death and increase the release of circRNAs. Microparticles containing circRNAs shed from the metastasizing tumor will subsequently increase the circRNA concentration in plasma.