Exosomes and Tumor Progression: Our Current Knowledge

Abstract

Exosomes are tiny vesicles that cells secrete into the extracellular environment. They are crucial in cellular
communication and have wide-ranging physiological and pathological ramifications. Cargo sorting, MVB
development and maturation, MVB transport, and MVB fusion with the plasma membrane are the four
essential steps in exosome biogenesis. The high heterogeneity of exosomes is due to the fact that each
process is modulated by the competition or coordination of multiple mechanisms, resulting in the sorting
of diverse compositions of molecular cargos into different subpopulations of exosomes. In cancer, exosomes
have been shown to play a crucial role in tumor growth, metastasis, and pre-metastatic niche formation. In
this mini-review, we briefly compile what we know about exosomes at present, including how they are made,
what they carry, and how they promote tumor growth. Exosomes' potential as diagnostic and prognostic
biomarkers is discussed. We also take a look at the research that hasn't been done and the challenges that
have been overlooked.