Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-surrounded structures secreted by cells, which involve exosomes, microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and many others. Recent studies indicated that cancer-associated EVs play pivotal roles in constructing favorable microenvironments for cancer cells through communication with various surrounding or remote cells. In fact, they induce immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via transport of functional nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. They also transport tumor-associated antigens to antigen-presenting cells. Since the cargoes of cancer-derived EVs retain the molecular properties of their sources and cancer cells actively release EVs into bodily fluids that are easy to access, EVs are considered to be attractive resources for cancer biomarker development. In the following chapter, we describe the biology of EVs, as well as methods and issues relevant for purifying EVs and measuring EV biomarkers. We also provide an overview of reported EV biomarker molecules and discuss the feasibility of EV-based cancer liquid biopsy.
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