Disentangling the complexity of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles.

The tumor microenvironment encompasses an intertwined ensemble of both transformed cancer cells and non-transformed host cells, which together establish a signaling network that regulates tumor progression. By conveying both homo- and heterotypic cell-to-cell communication cues, tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tEVs) modulate several cancer-associated processes, such as immunosuppression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Herein we discuss how recent methodological advances in the isolation and characterization of tEVs may help to broaden our understanding of their functions in tumor biology and, potentially, establish their utility as cancer biomarkers.
Competing Interests: Declaration of interests M.D.P. received sponsored research grants from EVIR Therapeutics, Hoffmann La-Roche, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, and MedImmune; reports honoraria from Merck and Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; and serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of EVIR Therapeutics, Macomics, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Montis Biosciences, Light Chain Bioscience/Novimmune, and Genenta. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.
(Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)