The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Hallmarks of Cancer and Drug Resistance

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Xavier, CPR (Author) Other; Caires, HR (Author) Other; Barbosa, MAG (Author) Other; Bergantim, R (Author) FMUP; Guimaraes, JE (Author) Other; Helena Vasconcelos, MH (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Cells

Vol. 9

Final page: 1141

ISSN: 2073-4409

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 48 Citations

Scopus - 55 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-40Y

DOI: 10.3390/cells9051141

Abstract (EN): Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular signaling and communication, allowing the intercellular exchange of proteins, lipids, and genetic material. Their recognized role in the maintenance of the physiological balance and homeostasis seems to be severely disturbed throughout the carcinogenesis process. Indeed, the modus operandi of cancer implies the highjack of the EV signaling network to support tumor progression in many (if not all) human tumor malignancies. We have reviewed the current evidence for the role of EVs in affecting cancer hallmark traits by: (i) promoting cell proliferation and escape from apoptosis, (ii) sustaining angiogenesis, (iii) contributing to cancer cell invasion and metastasis, (iv) reprogramming energy metabolism, (v) transferring mutations, and (vi) modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) by evading immune response and promoting inflammation. Special emphasis was given to the role of EVs in the transfer of drug resistant traits and to the EV cargo responsible for this transfer, both between cancer cells or between the microenvironment and tumor cells. Finally, we reviewed evidence for the increased release of EVs by drug resistant cells. A timely and comprehensive understanding of how tumor EVs facilitate tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and drug resistance is instrumental for the development of innovative EV-based therapeutic approaches for cancer.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 34