The authors considered the main exosomal contents, such as proteins (tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81 and CD151), Rab proteins, Annexins, Flotillins, proteins involved in ESCRT complex and heat shock proteins), nucleic acids and lipids, and their individual biological functions; they summarized in two tables the studies involving, respectively, the major exosomal protein biomarkers, and the nucleic acid biomarkers in the diagnosis of different human cancers. The gene discussed is CD81; the disease is cancer.