Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles in cancer invasion and metastasis - molecular mechanisms, and clinical significance

Sep 21, 2026

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Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TDSEVs) released by cancer cells drive tumor propagation by enabling genetic and biological communication with healthy cells. TDSEVs regulate key steps of the invasion–metastasis cascade, including early metastasis processes, pre-metastatic niche formation, immune modulation, angiogenesis initiation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. MicroRNAs carried by TDSEVs act as a double-edged signal, promoting metastasis or inhibiting progression. TDSEVs also support early tumor detection as biomarkers and offer therapeutic cargo delivery potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

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Zhang et al. Molecular Cancer (2024) 23:18 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01932-0](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01932-0) Molecular Cancer REVIEW Open Access Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles in cancer invasion and metastasis: molecular mechanisms, and clinical significance Chi Zhang1,2†, Chaoying Qin1,2†, Saikat Dewanjee3*, Hiranmoy Bhattacharya3, Pratik Chakraborty3, Niraj Kumar Jha4,5, Moumita Gangopadhyay6, Saurabh Kumar Jha7* and Qing Liu 1,2* Abstract The production and release of tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TDSEVs) from cancerous cells play a pivotal role in the propagation of cancer, through genetic and biological communication with healthy cells. TDSEVs are known to orchestrate the invasion-metastasis cascade via diverse pathways. Regulation of early metastasis processes, pre-metastatic niche formation, immune system regulation, angiogenesis initiation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune modulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are among the pathways regulated by TDSEVs. MicroRNAs (miRs) carried within TDSEVs play a pivotal role as a double-edged sword and can either promote metastasis or inhibit cancer progression. TDSEVs can serve as excellent markers for early detection of tumors, and tumor metastases. From a therapeutic point of view, the risk of cancer metastasis may be reduced by limiting the production ofTDSEVs from tumor cells. On the other hand, TDSEVs represent a promising approach for in vivo delivery of therapeutic cargo to tumor cells. The present review article discusses the recent developmentsand the current views ofTDSEVs in the field of cancer research and clinical applications. Keywords Biomarkers, Cancer, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Metastasis, MicroRNA, Oncogenic transformation, Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles, Tumor microenvironment †Chi Zhang and Chaoying Qin contributed equally to this work. *Correspondence: Saikat Dewanjee[saikat.dewanjee@jadavpuruniversity.in](saikat.dewanjee@jadavpuruniversity.in)[ ](saikat.dewanjee@jadavpuruniversity.in)Saurabh Kumar Jha [jhasaurabh017@gmail.com](jhasaurabh017@gmail.com)[ ](jhasaurabh017@gmail.com)Qing Liu [liuqingdr@csu.edu.cn](liuqingdr@csu.edu.cn) 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China 2 The Institute of Skull Base Surgery and Neuro-Oncology at Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, China 3 Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India 4 Centre of Research Impact and Outreach, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab, India 5 Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India 6 Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Barasat, Kolkata 700126, West Bengal, India 7 Department of Zoology, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110008, India © The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.o

FAQs

What role do tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TDSEVs) play in cancer progression?

TDSEVs help propagate cancer by mediating genetic and biological communication between cancerous cells and healthy cells, supporting invasion and metastasis-related events.

Which pathways of metastasis are regulated by TDSEVs?

TDSEVs regulate early metastasis processes, pre-metastatic niche formation, immune system regulation, angiogenesis initiation, extracellular matrix remodeling, immune modulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

How can TDSEVs be used for diagnosis or therapy?

TDSEVs can serve as excellent markers for early detection of tumors and tumor metastases. Therapeutically, limiting TDSEV production may reduce metastatic risk, while TDSEVs can also be used for in vivo delivery of therapeutic cargo to tumor cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Logic