Topic: The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease that continues to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide. In recent decades, researchers have recognized that the communication between cancer cells and their surrounding environment is crucial to tumor progression and treatment resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to play a critical role in this communication, and there has been growing interest in the emerging roles of EVs in cancer, and their potential use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
EVs are small membrane-bound vesicles that could carry a variety of molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are released by cells. EVs have been shown to be involved in various aspects of tumor biology, including tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. Besides, EVs also offer promising opportunities for cancer diagnosis.  Interestingly, EVs could be used in the cancer therapeutics, e.g., EVs can be engineered to carry therapeutic agents, such as drugs or small interfering RNAs, to tumor cells in a targeted manner.
In this Special Issue entitled , The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer, we expect to bring together the leading experts in the field to discuss the latest advances and challenges in this area. The articles included in this issue cover a wide range of topics, including:
1.The roles of extracellular vesicles in modulating the behaviors of tumor and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment.
2.The role of extracellular vesicles in establishing the pre-metastatic niche.
3.The role of extracellular vesicles in resistant of tumor cells to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
4.The roles of extracellular vesicles in tumor diagnosis, prognostic prediction, drug delivery and targeted therapy.
5.The mechanisms of extracellular vesicles biogenesis, release and uptake in tumor microenvironment.
6.Challenges and advances associated with the isolation, characterisation and use of extracellular vesicles in clinical practice.
The emerging role of EVs in cancer is an exciting area of research that has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment. The study of EVs holds great promise for improving cancer patient outcomes and ultimately reducing the burden of malignance. We hope that this Special Issue provides valuable insights into the emerging role of EVs in cancer, inspires new research and innovation in this emerging field.

30 Jun 2024