About this Research Topic
Cells, both normal and diseased, release extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the bloodstream carrying molecular information, reflecting dynamic changes in health and disease. EVs can influence recipient cells, contributing to cellular transformation, reprogramming, and metastasis. Their diverse content, including proteins, growth factors, and genetic material, offers a non-invasive means to access crucial molecular information about cellular health, mutations, and therapeutic targets. Moreover, cancer-derived EVs exhibit unique tumor-targeting capabilities that can be harnessed to selectively transport theranostic agents to the tumor. Due to this, EVs are gaining significant interest in the pharmacological field, as they may prove effective in overcoming obstacles in tumor diagnosis and targeted therapies, thus opening new avenues in medical research and treatment strategies to effectively fight cancer and improve patient outcomes.
One of the main factors which restrain the clinical application of the tumor-derived EVs is the currently limited knowledge of their role in regulating communication between tumor cells and the microenvironment, homing mechanisms, and the incomplete understanding of the biological significance of vesicular cargo.
To bridge this knowledge gap, our objective is to curate a compilation of original papers that delineate the current state of the art and provide novel insights into the biology of cancer. This collection aims to form a mosaic that not only identifies existing challenges but also unravels the potential benefits of harnessing extracellular vesicles as theranostic agents.
Our objective is to bring together the expertise of leading experts delving into the use of EVs for both tumor diagnosis and therapy, unraveling the complex biological mechanisms behind their role in cancer. This collection of contributions aims at highlighting the advantages and limitations of extracellular vesicles as theranostic tools. We anticipate that the insights gained from this exploration will pave the way for innovative strategies, offering potential solutions to overcome
existing challenges. Ultimately, we aspire to contribute to the development of clinical protocols for the effective use of extracellular vesicles in the field of oncology.
One of the main factors which restrain the clinical application of the tumor-derived EVs is the currently limited knowledge of their role in regulating communication between tumor cells and the microenvironment, homing mechanisms, and the incomplete understanding of the biological significance of vesicular cargo.
To bridge this knowledge gap, our objective is to curate a compilation of original papers that delineate the current state of the art and provide novel insights into the biology of cancer. This collection aims to form a mosaic that not only identifies existing challenges but also unravels the potential benefits of harnessing extracellular vesicles as theranostic agents.
Our objective is to bring together the expertise of leading experts delving into the use of EVs for both tumor diagnosis and therapy, unraveling the complex biological mechanisms behind their role in cancer. This collection of contributions aims at highlighting the advantages and limitations of extracellular vesicles as theranostic tools. We anticipate that the insights gained from this exploration will pave the way for innovative strategies, offering potential solutions to overcome
existing challenges. Ultimately, we aspire to contribute to the development of clinical protocols for the effective use of extracellular vesicles in the field of oncology.
Keywords: extracellular vesicles, anti-cancer drugs, drugs transport
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