Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane-bound vesicles involved in cell-cell communication, particularly in the context of cancer. Immunotherapy, a rapidly evolving field in oncology, is a type of cancer treatment relying on the body’s own immune system to fight mutated cancer cells. Recentl...

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Main Authors: Shuai Wang, Zerui Wang, Min Liu, Xiyang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581635/full
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author Shuai Wang
Zerui Wang
Min Liu
Xiyang Sun
author_facet Shuai Wang
Zerui Wang
Min Liu
Xiyang Sun
author_sort Shuai Wang
collection DOAJ
description Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane-bound vesicles involved in cell-cell communication, particularly in the context of cancer. Immunotherapy, a rapidly evolving field in oncology, is a type of cancer treatment relying on the body’s own immune system to fight mutated cancer cells. Recently, the significance of immunotherapeutic resistance has been increasingly acknowledged owing to the heightened prevalence of cancer and its commonly advanced stage upon diagnosis. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor cells pose challenges to immunotherapy, and the role of EVs in immunotherapeutic resistance remains unclear. Recent studies focused on the role of EVs as heterogeneous groups of nanoparticles in intercellular communication, particularly within the tumor microenvironment (TME). EVs, which include exosomes, shed microvesicles, while apoptotic bodies carry a diverse range of molecular cargo, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other bioactive molecules. The complexity and versatility of EVs make them a fascinating area of study, with promising implications for the future of immunology and medicine. This brief review highlights the involvement of EVs in immunotherapeutic resistance (e.g., PD-L1 transfer, miRNA-mediated pathways) with a focus on their biogenesis, secretion, and functional roles in cancer, underscoring their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
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spelling doaj-art-e4110b290a2f4bd3a7af7724afa0fc212025-08-20T01:55:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15816351581635Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistanceShuai Wang0Zerui Wang1Min Liu2Xiyang Sun3Emergency Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaWuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, ChinaUrology Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaHongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane-bound vesicles involved in cell-cell communication, particularly in the context of cancer. Immunotherapy, a rapidly evolving field in oncology, is a type of cancer treatment relying on the body’s own immune system to fight mutated cancer cells. Recently, the significance of immunotherapeutic resistance has been increasingly acknowledged owing to the heightened prevalence of cancer and its commonly advanced stage upon diagnosis. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor cells pose challenges to immunotherapy, and the role of EVs in immunotherapeutic resistance remains unclear. Recent studies focused on the role of EVs as heterogeneous groups of nanoparticles in intercellular communication, particularly within the tumor microenvironment (TME). EVs, which include exosomes, shed microvesicles, while apoptotic bodies carry a diverse range of molecular cargo, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other bioactive molecules. The complexity and versatility of EVs make them a fascinating area of study, with promising implications for the future of immunology and medicine. This brief review highlights the involvement of EVs in immunotherapeutic resistance (e.g., PD-L1 transfer, miRNA-mediated pathways) with a focus on their biogenesis, secretion, and functional roles in cancer, underscoring their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581635/fullextracellular vesiclesimmunotherapeutic resistancetumor microenvironmentcell communicationcancer progression
spellingShingle Shuai Wang
Zerui Wang
Min Liu
Xiyang Sun
Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
Frontiers in Immunology
extracellular vesicles
immunotherapeutic resistance
tumor microenvironment
cell communication
cancer progression
title Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
title_full Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
title_fullStr Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
title_full_unstemmed Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
title_short Role of extracellular vesicles in cancer: implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
title_sort role of extracellular vesicles in cancer implications in immunotherapeutic resistance
topic extracellular vesicles
immunotherapeutic resistance
tumor microenvironment
cell communication
cancer progression
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1581635/full
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AT minliu roleofextracellularvesiclesincancerimplicationsinimmunotherapeuticresistance
AT xiyangsun roleofextracellularvesiclesincancerimplicationsinimmunotherapeuticresistance