About this Research Topic

Background

This Research Topic focuses on the role of exosomes in cancer metastasis. Exosomes, small vesicles released by nearly all cells, were once thought to be cellular waste. However, decades of research have revealed their significance in carrying crucial cellular information, including proteins, microRNAs, nucleic acids, lipids, and more. The importance of exosomes in cancer metastasis is particularly notable, as recent research has revealed significant differences in the contents of exosomes obtained from various types of cancer cells or directly from the cancer microenvironment of individual patients.

Researchers have observed that when these extracellular vesicles (EVs) are reintroduced to cancer cells, there is a notable shift in cell migration, invasion, and cancer stem traits associated with the cancer phenotype. Manipulating EV synthesis or uptake has been shown to mitigate their cancer-promoting potential. Additionally, administration of these EVs has been linked to increased tumor burden in mouse models.

The potential of extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, in cancer research is immense. They hold promise as both early diagnostic markers for various types of cancer and as valuable resources for developing novel therapeutic approaches. This Research Topic aims to explore the multifaceted role of exosomes in cancer metastasis and their implications for future therapeutic strategies.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Comparing and contrasting several methods of isolation and characterization to extract more refined exosomes.

• Mechanisms of exosome-mediated cancer metastasis

• Identification of key cargo molecules in cancer-derived exosomes (oncogenic signatures)

• Therapeutic targeting of exosome biogenesis and uptake pathways

• Exosome-based diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancer

• Novel treatment strategies utilizing exosomes as drug delivery vehicles.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to advancing our understanding of exosome biology in the context of cancer metastasis. Submissions are encouraged from researchers across diverse disciplines, including cancer biology, molecular biology, oncology, and translational medicine.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Exosomes, Cancer Metastasis, Extracellular Vesicles, Oncogenic Signatures, Therapeutic Targeting, Diagnostic Markers

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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