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The history of small extracellular vesicles and their implication in cancer drug resistance

Stefano Palazzolo1, Vincenzo Canzonieri1, Flavio Rizzolio1,2

  • 1Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) Istituto di ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy.

Frontiers in Oncology
|September 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in cancer drug resistance, mediating chemotherapy failure. This review details how EVs export drugs and transfer resistance factors, impacting treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Oncology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show potential as drug delivery systems, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
  • EVs play a significant role in tumor development, progression, and notably, drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the primary mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to cancer drug resistance.
  • To provide a concise overview of the current understanding of EVs in mediating chemotherapy resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in drug resistance.
  • Synthesis of findings on EV-mediated drug export and transfer of resistance factors.

Main Results:

  • EVs facilitate drug resistance by exporting chemotherapeutic agents out of cancer cells.
  • EVs transfer drug efflux pumps and microRNAs (miRNAs) to recipient cells, inducing a resistant phenotype.
  • EVs are implicated in both acquired and intrinsic cancer cell drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of cancer drug resistance, presenting a significant challenge in chemotherapy.
  • Understanding EV-mediated resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies to overcome treatment failure.
  • Targeting EVs may offer novel therapeutic avenues to improve patient prognosis in cancer therapy.
Keywords:
cancerdrug resistanceextra cellular vesiclesoncologytherapy

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