Extracellular Vesicles in Tumors: A Potential Mediator of Bone Metastasis

Abstract

As one of the most common metastatic sites, bone has a unique microenvironment for the growth and prosperity of metastatic tumor cells. Bone metastasis is a common complication for tumor patients and accounts for 15–20% of systemic metastasis, which is only secondary to lung and liver metastasis. Cancers prone to bone metastasis include lung, breast, and prostate cancer. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membrane vesicles released from different cell types. It is clear that EVs are associated with multiple biological phenomena and are crucial for intracellular communication by transporting intracellular substances. Recent studies have implicated EVs in the development of cancer. However, the potential roles of EVs in the pathological exchange of bone cells between tumors and the bone microenvironment remain an emerging area. This review is focused on the role of tumor-derived EVs in bone metastasis and possible regulatory mechanisms.