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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy of Extracellular Vesicles in Three Dimensions
Published on: August 26, 2021
Extracellular Vesicles: A Multidimensional Role in the Occurrence and Development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Huining Chen1, Hejing Huang1, Song Qu1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning 530021, China.
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered significant attention in cancer research, as they enable the regulation of the occurrence, progression, and metastasis of tumors. This narrative review summarizes studies published between 2020 and 2025 from PubMed, focusing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma and extracellular vesicles. We analyze the function and mechanism of EVs in the tumor microenvironment, biomarkers, and treatment. Numerous studies have attempted to explain the mechanism of NPC-EVs affecting tumor microenvironments through the transmission of its cargo. And liquid-biopsy technology using EVs as biomarkers, such as exosomal cyclophilin A, the phosphatase and tensin homolog, and EVs-miR-30a-5p, has been studied for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation. In the therapy aspect, researchers are attempting to explore the role of EVs in the resistance process of NPC treatment, with the aim of clinical translation. Current limitations include biological distribution of EVs and so on. Future research should focus on establishing the standardized production system and more convenient separation and purification techniques for EVs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma-related EVs.
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