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The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Endocrine Resistant Breast Cancer
Giusi La Camera1, Luca Gelsomino1, Amanda Caruso1
1Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the most common solid malignancy diagnosed in females worldwide, and approximately 70% of these tumors express estrogen receptor α (ERα), the main biomarker of endocrine therapy. Unfortunately, despite the use of long-term anti-hormone adjuvant treatment, which has significantly reduced patient mortality, resistance to the endocrine treatments often develops, leading to disease recurrence and limiting clinical benefits. Emerging evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized particles that are released by all cell types and responsible for local and systemic intercellular communications, might represent a newly identified mechanism underlying endocrine resistance. Unraveling the role of EVs, released by transformed cells during the tumor evolution under endocrine therapy, is still an open question in the cancer research area and the molecular mechanisms involved should be better defined to discover alternative therapeutic approaches to overcome resistance. In this review, we will provide an overview of recent findings on the involvement of EVs in sustaining hormonal resistance in breast cancer and discuss opportunities for their potential use as biomarkers to monitor the therapeutic response and disease progression.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) may drive endocrine resistance in estrogen receptor-positive (ERα) breast cancer. Understanding EVs
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality in females globally.
- Estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive tumors (70%) are treated with endocrine therapy.
- Endocrine resistance and recurrence remain significant clinical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms by which EVs contribute to treatment resistance.
- To discuss the potential of EVs as biomarkers for monitoring treatment response and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings on EVs and endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms involving EVs in tumor evolution under endocrine therapy.
- Discussion of the clinical implications and future directions for EV-based research.
Main Results:
- Emerging evidence suggests EVs mediate intercellular communication contributing to endocrine resistance.
- EVs released by breast cancer cells under therapy may promote tumor recurrence.
- Molecular mechanisms of EV involvement in resistance require further elucidation.
Conclusions:
- EVs represent a potential mechanism underlying endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
- Further research into EV molecular pathways is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
- EVs show promise as biomarkers for personalized breast cancer treatment monitoring.
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