Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
Published on: April 23, 2021
New Insights into Extracellular Vesicles between Adipocytes and Breast Cancer Orchestrating Tumor Progression
Jing Cui1, Weida Shen1, Haiyan Zhao1
1Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
In recent years, obesity has been widely considered an independent risk factor for diseases/disorders including inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Adipocytes separate in diverse types of tissues, playing vital roles in not only homeostasis but also disease progression. Adipose tissue is not only an energy organ but is also an endocrine organ that can communicate with other cells in the microenvironment. In this review, we assess the functions of breast cancer-associated adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the progression of breast cancer including proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune regulation. A better understanding of the role of EVs in the crosstalk between adipocytes and breast cancer will provide an understanding of the cancer biology and progression, which would further drive improvements of diagnostic strategies as well as therapeutic insights.
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...

