Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
09:30
Using Nanoplasmon-Enhanced Scattering and Low-Magnification Microscope Imaging to Quantify Tumor-Derived Exosomes
Published on: May 24, 2019
8.0K
Exosome mediated communication within the tumor microenvironment.
Lara Milane1, Amit Singh1, George Mattheolabakis1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Summary
Cancer cells utilize exosomes, or endosome-derived vesicles, for survival and communication. Aberrant exosome production and content in cancer promote metastasis and drug resistance, offering therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Exosomes are endosome-derived vesicles crucial for intercellular communication.
- Cancer cells exhibit abnormal exosome production and content compared to healthy cells.
- Exosomes play a significant role in cancer progression, including metastasis and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptualize the aberrant exosome biogenesis in cancer.
- To detail exosome biology, content, and function in cancer.
- To explore therapeutic applications of exosomes in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of exosome biology and function in cancer.
- Analysis of exosome content, including microRNA and RISC association.
- Discussion of exosome-mediated communication in metastasis, drug resistance, and immune response.
Main Results:
- Cancer-derived exosomes are distinct in content and quantity, promoting cancer survival.
- Aberrant exosome formation is linked to cancer-specific endocytosis and membrane remodeling.
- Cancer exosomes facilitate metastasis, invasion, and modulate the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes are key mediators of cancer cell communication and adaptation.
- Understanding exosome dysregulation offers insights into cancer progression.
- Targeting exosomal pathways presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
8.2K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
8.2K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
3.1K
3.1K
01:36Overview of Exosomes
3.9K
Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.9K
02:30Metastasis
6.9K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.9K
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
2.3K
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.3K