Effects of Exosomes on Major Pathways Promote Tumor Formation and Progression

Curr Mol Med. 2022;22(6):491-505. doi: 10.2174/1566524021666210902113824.

Abstract

Exosomal vesicles enclose and carry a broad range of biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins, and transfer them between cells. In cancer, cells being mentioned could be neighbors in the same tumor microenvironment communicating with each other, or they could be localized at distant sites of the body, enabling suitable conditions for metastasis. Either way, it is a concrete fact that cells under physiological or pathological conditions make crosstalk via exosomal secretion. This review looks at the relation between exosomal cargo and mechanisms of cancer through recent research.

Keywords: EMT; Extracellular vesicles; cancer metabolism; drug resistance; exosomal crosstalk; oncosome; proliferation; survival.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment