Basics and applications of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles

Abstract

Extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated intercellular communication acts as a critical culprit in cancer development. The selective packaging of oncogenic molecules renders tumor-derived EVs capable of altering the tumor microenvironment and thereby modulating cancer developments that may contribute to drug resistance and cancer recurrence. Moreover, the molecular and functional characteristics of cancer through its development and posttreatment evolve over time. Tumor-derived EVs are profoundly involved in this process and can, therefore, provide valuable real-time information to reflect dynamic changes occurring within the body. Because they bear unique molecular profiles or signatures, tumor-derived EVs have been highlighted as valuable diagnostic and predictive biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic targets. In addition, the use of an advanced EV-based drug delivery system for cancer therapeutics has recently been emphasized in both basic and clinical studies. In this review, we highlight comprehensive aspects of tumor-derived EVs in oncogenic processes and their potential clinical applications.

Extracellular vesicles derived from different sources of mesenchymal stem cells: therapeutic effects and translational potential

“…At present, except for MSCs-EVs, EVs from tumor cells and immune cells have been studied a lot. EVs derived from tumor cells contain RNA and other content that may promote cancer [110]. Although it was reported that EVs from tumor cells were used to deliver drugs to target cancer cells [111], the risk of tumor promotion should not be ignored.…”

Extracellular Vesicles From Pathological Microenvironment Induce Endothelial Cell Transformation and Abnormal Angiogenesis via Modulation of TRPV4 Channels

“…The TME is a heterogenous mix of cellular and acellular components including stromal cells, extracellular matrix, soluble factors and EVs secreted by both tumor and stromal cells. Emerging evidence has shown that tumor-derived EVs play an important role in cell-to-cell communication within the TME (Han et al, 2019;Qiao et al, 2019;Tai et al, 2019). EVs have been demonstrated to carry a cargo of DNAs, RNAs, miRNAs, proteins, lipids, and cytokines that facilitate tumor growth, progression and metastasis by delivering them to stromal cells in TME.…”

Cancer cell line-specific protein profiles in extracellular vesicles identified by proteomics

“…Oncogenes in cancer-derived EVs can modulate normal host cells, e.g. fibroblasts and macrophages, as well as local cancer cells and metastatic cells [ 9 – 11 ]. In this manner, tumor-derived EVs can contribute to and maintain the Hallmarks of cancer, a panel of acquired abilities of malignant tumors such as cancer cell proliferation, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to cell death, migration, and invasion as well as modulating normal cells to favor tumor progression by transforming the microenvironment into a more permissive one [ 12 – 15 ].…”