Immune Cell-Derived Exosomes in the Cancer-Immunity Cycle

Cells can communicate through extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion and uptake. Exosomes are lipid bilayer-enclosed EVs of 30-150 nm in diameter, which can transfer RNA, functional proteins, lipids, and metabolites to recipient cells in vivo. Most cell types, including immune cells, can secrete and uptake exosomes. Biogenesis, secretion, and uptake of immune cell-derived exosomes are regulated by intracellular proteins and extracellular stimuli. Immune cell-derived exosomes can mediate crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity and regulate cancer progression and metastasis. The dichotomous roles of immune cell-derived exosomes towards tumor cells can induce suppressive or active immune responses. Hence, immune cell-secreted exosomes may have applications in cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy and could potentially be developed for vaccination and chemotherapy drug transportation.