Hypoxia as a critical player in extracellular vesicles-mediated intercellular communication between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Branco, H (Author) Other; Xavier, CPR (Author) Other; Riganti, C (Author) Other; Helena Vasconcelos, MH (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer

Vol. 1880

ISSN: 0304-419X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-ND2

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189244

Abstract (EN): In the past years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of intercellular communication in cancer. These small size particles mediate the intercellular transfer of important bioactive molecules involved in malignant initiation and progression. Hypoxia, or low partial pressure of oxygen, is recognized as a remarkable feature of solid tumors and has been demonstrated to exert a profound impact on tumor prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. Indeed, the high-pitched growth rate and chaotic neovascular architecture that embodies solid tumors results in a profound reduction in oxygen pressure within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In response to oxygen-deprived conditions, tumor cells and their surrounding milieu develop homeostatic adaptation mechanisms that contribute to the establishment of a pro-tumoral phenotype. Latest evidence suggests that the hypoxic microenvironment that surrounds the tumor bulk may be a clincher for the observed elevated levels of circulating EVs in cancer patients. Thus, it is proposed that EVs may play a role in mediating intercellular communication in response to hypoxic conditions. This review focuses on the EVs mediated crosstalk that is established between tumor cells and their surrounding immune, endothelial, and stromal cell populations, within the hypoxic TME.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16