Abstract
Exosomes secreted by tumor cells, through the transport of bioactive molecules, reprogram the surroundings, building a microenvironment to support the development of the tumor. The discovery that exosomes carry genomic DNA reflecting that of the tumor cell of origin has encouraged studies to use them as non-invasive biomarkers. The exosome-mediated transfer of oncogenes suggested a new mechanism of malignant transformation that could play a role in the formation of metastases. Several studies have examined the role of tumor exosomes on the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, but relatively few have been directed to assess how stressful stimuli can influence their production and cargo. Understanding the changes in exosome loads and the production pattern of the stressed tumor cell may uncover actionable mechanisms responsible for tumor progression.
Highlights
Exosomes are a population of nanometer-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs) that originate from the multivesicular endosome and are released from all cells
It should be noted that tumor exosomes seem to “address” specific target sites in different organs by virtue of the expression of a specific integrin associated with the formation of pulmonary or hepatic metastases [8]
Several studies have clearly indicated that hypoxic stress promotes release and induces qualitative changes in the exosomes secreted by cancer cells [24,25], which influence the metastatic potential of normoxic cells
Summary
Exosomes are a population of nanometer-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs) that originate from the multivesicular endosome and are released from all cells. Their secretion was first described as a mechanism for the elimination of excessive proteins or undesirable molecules from the cell [1] and for many years, exosomes have been ignored by the scientific community. Evidence suggests that tumor cells use exosomes to shape the microenvironment, making it favorable for their growth and suitable for the formation of pre-metastatic niches [5], promoting the immune-escape of tumor cells [6] and inducing extracellular matrix remodeling and angiogenesis [7]. This review will discuss the influence of the tumor microenvironment on the composition of the exosome, focusing in particular on DNA content and its possible role in promoting malignant transformation
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