Exosomes—nano-messengers in tumors: capturing techniques, birth codes, and functional deciphering

Abstract

Exosomes are nanoscale, membrane-bound vesicles secreted by various cell types. Owing to their cargo of parental cel-derived cellular components, exosomes show significant promise as clinical biomarkers. Meanwhile, due to their diverse origins and cargo, exosomes play a dual role in cancer, possessing the capacity to both promote and suppress tumor progression The efficient and rapid isolation and purification of exosomes are foundational for advancing their clinical applications. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of exosome biogenesis is essential to elucidate their underlying biological functions. However, current knowledge regarding their biological characteristics and functions of action remains limited. This review delves into exosome isolation techniques, the regulatory mechanisms underlying their biogenesis and secretion, and their dual roles in cancer progression, metastasis, and tumor immunity, concluding with a discussion of the challenges and future directions in their clinical translation.