The multifaceted role of extracellular vesicles in metastasis: Priming the soil for seeding |
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| Authors: | Brunna dos Anjos Pultz Felipe Andrés Cordero da Luz Sara Socorro Faria Leandro Peixoto Ferreira de Souza Paula Cristina Brígido Tavares Vivian Alonso Goulart Wagner Fontes Luiz Ricardo Goulart Marcelo José Barbosa Silva |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Tumor Biomarkers and Osteoimmunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil;2. Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil;3. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil;4. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California‐Davis, Davis, CA |
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| Abstract: | Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, play a key role in inter and intracellular communication, promoting the proliferation and invasion of recipient cells to support tumor growth and metastasis. Metastasis comprises multiple steps that first include the detachment of tumor cells through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), allowing the physical dissemination to distant organs. Thereafter, cancer‐derived exosomes are still critical components for preparing the tumor microenvironment by (i) enabling tumor cells to escape from the immunological surveillance and (ii) arranging the pre‐metastatic site for the engraftment of detached cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted role of EVs in the multiple steps of metastasis. Future research directions draw attention to EVs as biological targets for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. However, due to their significant role in cell communication, they may become a valuable drug delivery system. |
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| Keywords: | extracellular vesicles metastasis EMT tumor microenvironment |
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