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Updated: Oct 20, 2025

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

Published on: September 23, 2021

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Extracellular vesicles in anti-tumor immunity

Elisabetta Vergani1, Elena Daveri1, Viviana Vallacchi1

  • 1Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|September 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a complex role in anti-tumor immunity, influencing cancer therapeutics and immunotherapy responses. Understanding immune cell-derived EVs is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments and overcoming resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial in intercellular communication, but their role in anti-tumor immunity is complex and not fully understood.
  • Investigating immune cell-derived EVs is challenging due to their heterogeneity and difficulty in defining origins, unlike tumor-derived EVs.
  • The rise of immune checkpoint inhibitors necessitates a deeper understanding of EV impact on immune responses and resistance in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in modulating anti-tumor immune responses.
  • To highlight the significance of immune cell-derived EVs in the context of cancer therapeutics and immunotherapy.
  • To discuss strategies for overcoming detrimental EV effects on anti-tumor immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of current literature on extracellular vesicle (EV) biology and function in cancer.
  • Analysis of factors influencing immune responses in cancer patients undergoing therapy.
  • Comparative discussion of tumor-derived EVs versus immune cell-derived EVs.

Main Results:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) significantly influence immune activation and response dynamics in cancer.
  • Immune cell-derived EVs present unique challenges and opportunities for cancer immunotherapy.
  • Understanding EV subtypes and functions is key to predicting and overcoming therapeutic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of anti-tumor immunity, impacting cancer treatment efficacy.
  • Targeting or modulating immune cell-derived EVs offers potential therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research into EV biology is essential for advancing cancer immunotherapy and preventing resistance.
Keywords:
Anti-tumor immunityBiomarkerExosomesExtracellular vesicles

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