Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 5, 2025

An Enrichment Method for Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Liver Cancer Tissue

An Enrichment Method for Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Liver Cancer Tissue

Published on: February 3, 2023

EVs as Potential New Therapeutic Tool/Target in Gastrointestinal Cancer and HCC

Artur Słomka¹, Tudor Mocan², Bingduo Wang³

¹Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland.

|October 21, 2020

Abstract:

For more than a decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been in focus of science. Once thought to be an efficient way to eliminate undesirable cell content, EVs are now well-accepted as being an important alternative to cytokines and chemokines in cell-to-cell communication route. With their cargos, mainly consisting of functional proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, they can activate signalling cascades and thus change the phenotype of recipient cells at local and systemic levels. Their substantial role as modulators of various physiological and pathological processes is acknowledged. Importantly, more and more evidence arises that EVs play a pivotal role in many stages of carcinogenesis. Via EV-mediated communication, tumour cells can manipulate cells from host immune system or from the tumour microenvironment, and, ultimately, they promote tumour progression and modulate host immunity towards tumour's favour. Additionally, the role of EVs in modulating resistance to pharmacological and radiological therapy of many cancer types has become evident lately. Our understanding of EV biology and their role in cancer promotion and drug resistance has evolved considerably in recent years. In this review, we specifically discuss the current knowledge on the association between EVs and gastrointestinal (GI) and liver cancers, including their potential for diagnosis and treatment.

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for cell communication and play a key role in cancer progression and drug resistance. This review explores their involvement in gastrointestinal and liver cancers, highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Oncology
Biochemistry

Background:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were initially considered waste disposal mechanisms but are now recognized as vital mediators of intercellular communication.
EVs carry functional proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, influencing recipient cell phenotypes and modulating physiological and pathological processes.
Emerging evidence highlights the significant role of EVs in various stages of carcinogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of extracellular vesicle (EV) biology and their specific roles in cancer.
To discuss the association between EVs and gastrointestinal (GI) and liver cancers.
To explore the potential of EVs in cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer.
Analysis of studies focusing on EV-mediated communication in tumor progression and immune modulation.
Examination of evidence linking EVs to therapeutic resistance in various cancer types.

Main Results:

EVs are implicated in promoting tumor progression by manipulating the immune system and tumor microenvironment.
EVs play a significant role in modulating resistance to pharmacological and radiological cancer therapies.
EVs are increasingly recognized for their potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and as therapeutic agents.

Conclusions:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal in cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance.
Understanding EV-mediated communication is crucial for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal and liver cancers.
Further research into EV biology holds promise for advancing cancer care.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

HCC biomarker drug resistance ectosomes exosomes extracellular vesicles gastrointestinal and liver cancers microvesicles

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the Storage Stability of Extracellular Vesicles

Evaluation of the Storage Stability of Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: May 22, 2019

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

Published on: September 23, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes

Overview of Exosomes

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...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...

Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies

Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies

Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...

Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

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.

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Diagnostic Performance of Machine Learning for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of medical Internet research·2026

Beyond injury severity: monocyte-associated small extracellular vesicles distinguish respiratory-support trajectories following thoracic trauma.

BMC pulmonary medicine·2026

Intraoperative dorsal lung ventilation reduction and postoperative pulmonary complications after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: A prospective cohort study.

Chinese medical journal·2026

Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease: Can Dietary Interventions Provide Neuroprotection?

Nutrients·2026

Integral Lipophilicity Studies with in Silico ADMET Parameter Analysis of Novel Pseudothiohydantoin Derivatives.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

CRAFITY and PALBI Define a Machine Learning-Supported Prognostic Framework in Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Data from an Eastern European Cohort with Low Macrotrabecular-Massive Prevalence.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

See all related articles