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Cells
Volume 14
Issue 22
10.3390/cells14221750
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Review

Exosome-Mediated Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment

by
Sara H. Saad
,
Alex Kashanchi
,
Mohammad Asad Zadeh
,
Anastasia Williams
and
Elena V. Batrakova
*
Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Discovery Hall Room 182, 10900 University Blvd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cells 2025, 14(22), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221750 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 30 September 2025 / Revised: 3 November 2025 / Accepted: 6 November 2025 / Published: 8 November 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that play a central role in mediating intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-derived exosomes carry proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that reshape the phenotype and function of surrounding stromal and immune cells, thereby promoting tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. At the same time, exosomes derived from TME components, including macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells, T cells, fibroblasts, neutrophils, and NK cells, reciprocally influence tumor growth and immune evasion. These bidirectional interactions highlight exosomes as both drivers of tumor progression and regulators of antitumor immunity. In this review, we synthesize current evidence on the diverse mechanisms by which exosomes reprogram immune and stromal cells, with a focus on their dual roles in cancer biology. We also discuss emerging therapeutic strategies to inhibit exosome biogenesis, release, and function, underscoring their translational potential as novel targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: exosomes; extracellular vesicles (EVs); tumor microenvironment (TME); cancer progression; immune modulation; B cells; dendritic cells; tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exosomes; extracellular vesicles (EVs); tumor microenvironment (TME); cancer progression; immune modulation; B cells; dendritic cells; tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)

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MDPI and ACS Style

Saad, S.H.; Kashanchi, A.; Zadeh, M.A.; Williams, A.; Batrakova, E.V. Exosome-Mediated Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment. Cells 2025, 14, 1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221750

AMA Style

Saad SH, Kashanchi A, Zadeh MA, Williams A, Batrakova EV. Exosome-Mediated Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment. Cells. 2025; 14(22):1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221750

Chicago/Turabian Style

Saad, Sara H., Alex Kashanchi, Mohammad Asad Zadeh, Anastasia Williams, and Elena V. Batrakova. 2025. "Exosome-Mediated Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment" Cells 14, no. 22: 1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221750

APA Style

Saad, S. H., Kashanchi, A., Zadeh, M. A., Williams, A., & Batrakova, E. V. (2025). Exosome-Mediated Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment. Cells, 14(22), 1750. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14221750

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