Exosomes in cancer: small particle, big player

Exosomes have emerged as a novel mode of intercellular communication. Exosomes can shuttle bioactive molecules including proteins, DNA, mRNA, as well as non-coding RNAs from one cell to another, leading to the exchange of genetic information and reprogramming of the recipient cells. Increasing evidence suggests that tumor cells release excessive amount of exosomes, which may influence tumor initiation, growth, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In addition, exosomes transfer message from tumor cells to immune cells and stromal cells, contributing to the escape from immune surveillance and the formation of tumor niche. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in the biology of exosomes as…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 81201660, 91129718
• JU
  Jiangsu University

  Award: 13JDG086
• GO
  Government of Jiangsu Province
• QP
  Qinglan Project of Jiangsu Province of China
• MR
  Major Research Plan