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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction
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In Vitro Assay to Study Tumor-macrophage Interaction

Published on: August 1, 2019

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Exosomal microRNAs shuttling between tumor cells and macrophages: cellular interactions and novel therapeutic

Wen-Xiu Xu1, Dan-Dan Wang1, Zhi-Qiang Zhao2

  • 1Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guanzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.

Cancer Cell International
|May 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) communicate via extracellular vesicles, transferring molecules like microRNAs to drive cancer progression. Targeting this communication offers a promising strategy for novel anti-cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), often M2-polarized, promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and immune evasion.
  • Interactions between tumor cells and TAMs are crucial for cancer progression and malignancy evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of communication between tumor cells and TAMs mediated by EVs.
  • To highlight the role of microRNAs transferred via EVs in this interaction.
  • To explore the potential of targeting these EV-mediated communications for anti-cancer strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating EV-mediated communication between tumor cells and TAMs.
  • Analysis of mechanisms involving microRNA transfer.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on the role of EVs in various cancer types.

Main Results:

  • EVs facilitate the transfer of nucleic acids and proteins between tumor cells and TAMs.
  • MicroRNAs are key mediators in the communication pathways influenced by EVs.
  • This crosstalk is observed across numerous cancer types, including pancreatic, gastric, breast, ovarian, colon, glioblastoma, hepatocellular, and lung cancers.

Conclusions:

  • EVs play a significant role in the crosstalk between tumor cells and TAMs, influencing tumor progression.
  • Targeting EV-mediated transfer of molecules, particularly microRNAs, presents a novel therapeutic avenue.
  • Harnessing this knowledge could lead to the development of effective anti-cancer strategies.
Keywords:
CancersExtracellular vesiclesTumor associated macrophagesTumor microenvironmentTumorigenesis

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