The role of extracellular vesicles in cancer.

ABSTRACT

Intercellular communication is a key feature of cancer progression and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are generated by all cells, including cancer cells, and recent studies have identified EVs as key mediators of cell-cell communication via packaging and transfer of bioactive constituents to impact the biology and function of cancer cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the functional contribution of EVs to cancer progression and metastasis, as cancer biomarkers, and the development of cancer therapeutics.