588 Topical application of gemcitabine chemotherapy generates microvesicle particles in a platelet-activating factor-receptor- and acid sphingomyelinase-dependent manner

Abstract

Chemotherapy has remained the mainstay for the treatment of multiple types of cancers. In particular, topical use of chemotherapy has been used for skin cancers. Though effective, topical chemotherapy has been limited due to adverse effects such as local and even systemic toxicities. Given our ongoing studies that exposure to pro-oxidative stressors, including therapeutic agents induces the generation of extracellular vesicles known as microvesicle particles (MVP) which are dependent on activation of the Platelet-activating factor-receptor (PAFR), a G-protein coupled receptor present on various cell types, and acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase), an enzyme required for MVP biogenesis.