title: The role of exosomes in cancer metastasis.
abstract: Exosomes are small membrane vesicles with a size ranging from 40 to 100nm. They can serve as functional mediators in cell interaction leading to cancer metastasis. Metastasis is a complex multistep process of cancer cell invasion, survival in blood vessels, attachment to and colonization of the host organ. Exosomes influence every step of this cascade and can be targeted by oncological treatment. This review highlights the role of exosomes in the various steps of the metastatic cascade and how exosome dependent pathways can be targeted as therapeutic approach or used for liquid biopsies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Teresa Bernadette
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Steinbichler
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudás
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riechelmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: Ira.Skvortsova@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Ira-Ida
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Skvortsova
mesh_terms: D055354:Exosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000073890:Liquid Biopsy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000235:genetics
keywords: Cancer-associated fibroblasts; EMT; Organotropic metastasis; Premetastatic niche; Tumor derived exosomes