The Role of Exosomes in Cancer Metastasis

Publication date: Available online 13 February 2017
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Teresa Bernadette Steinbichler, József Dudás, Herbert Riechelmann, Ira-Ida Skvortsova
Exosomes are small membrane vesicles with a size ranging from 40–100nm. They can serve as functional mediators in cell interaction leading to cancer metastasis. Metastasis is a complex multistep process of cancer cell invasion, survival in blood vessels, attachment to and colonization of the host organ. Exosomes influence every step of this cascade and can be targeted by oncological treatment. This review highlights the role of exosomes in the various steps of the metastatic cascade and how exosome dependent pathways can be targeted as therapeutic approach or used for liquid biopsies.



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