Exploring the dynamic interplay between exosomes and the immune tumor microenvironment: implications for breast cancer progression and therapeutic strategies

Breast Cancer Res. 2024 Mar 29;26(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s13058-024-01810-z.

Abstract

Breast cancer continues to pose a substantial worldwide health concern, demanding a thorough comprehension of the complex interaction between cancerous cells and the immune system. Recent studies have shown the significant function of exosomes in facilitating intercellular communication and their participation in the advancement of cancer. Tumor-derived exosomes have been identified as significant regulators in the context of breast cancer, playing a crucial role in modulating immune cell activity and contributing to the advancement of the illness. This study aims to investigate the many effects of tumor-derived exosomes on immune cells in the setting of breast cancer. Specifically, we will examine their role in influencing immune cell polarization, facilitating immunological evasion, and modifying the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we explore the nascent domain of exosomes produced from immune cells and their prospective involvement in the prevention of breast cancer. This paper focuses on new research that emphasizes the immunomodulatory characteristics of exosomes produced from immune cells. It also explores the possibility of these exosomes as therapeutic agents or biomarkers for the early identification and prevention of breast cancer. The exploration of the reciprocal connections between exosomes formed from tumors and immune cells, together with the rising significance of exosomes derived from immune cells, presents a potential avenue for the advancement of novel approaches in the field of breast cancer therapy and prevention.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Immune cell; Immune cell-derived exosomes; Immunotherapy; Tumor microenvironment; Tumor-derived exosomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Communication
  • Exosomes* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tumor Microenvironment