Topic: Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Microenvironment: A Complex Cell-to-Cell Communication Network

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small carrier vesicles released into the extracellular space to facilitate intercellular communication by transferring bioactive molecules, including non-coding RNAs (such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs), protein-coding mRNAs, and proteins. Once these molecular signals are delivered to recipient cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), they can modulate their gene expression and biological functions. Communication in the TME involves a two-way exchange, with EVs shuttling between tumor cells and normal cells, influencing both. This complex cell-to-cell communication network involves cancer cells and various normal surrounding cells, such as immune, endothelial, epithelial, and stromal cells, and has an essential role in regulating cancer initiation and progression. Dissecting this communication network will provide deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms governing cancer initiation and progression, treatment resistance, and help identify new potential targets for novel cancer therapies.

31 May 2024