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Migrasomes program tissue microenvironment: from physiology to oncology, future perspectives in clinical advances

Shaosen Zhang1,2, Jiaoting Chen1,2, Yancheng Lai1,2

  • 1Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Journal of the National Cancer Center
|June 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Migrasomes, migration-dependent organelles, are crucial in cell communication and material transfer. This review explores their role in tissue homeostasis and cancer progression, highlighting potential therapeutic and biomarker applications.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cancer is a major global health issue requiring study of its spatial and temporal aspects.
  • Migrasomes, migration-dependent organelles, are involved in intercellular communication and material transfer.
  • These organelles influence tissue homeostasis and are exploited in cancer for proliferation and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of migrasomes in tumor microenvironments and tissue homeostasis.
  • To discuss migrasome involvement in the transition from homeostasis to malignancy.
  • To evaluate migrasomes as potential clinical therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of migrasome functions in cellular and tissue contexts.
  • Analysis of migrasome involvement in physiological and pathological processes.
  • Evaluation of existing research on migrasomes in cancer biology.

Main Results:

  • Migrasomes mediate intercellular communication and material transfer, including extrusion of damaged organelles.
  • They play bidirectional roles in tissue homeostasis (wound healing, inflammation) and cancer progression (angiogenesis, metastasis).
  • Migrasomes are implicated in the shift from tissue homeostasis to malignancy.

Conclusions:

  • Migrasomes are key players in tumor microenvironments, influencing cancer evolution.
  • Understanding migrasome functions offers potential for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • Further research into migrasomes could reveal new strategies for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
AgingChronic inflammationMicrobiomeMigracytosisMigrasomeTumor microenvironmentWound healing

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