Functional and molecular characterization of cancer-derived extracellular vesicles

Cancer-derived extracellular vesicles have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in cancer biology. Our team is particularly interested in cancer EV heterogeneity and we have been studying a particular population of extracellular vesicles, known as large oncosomes. These EVs are released by aggressive cancer cells that exhibit cell plasticity and have acquired metastatic abilities.  I will share data on the functions and the molecular cargo of large oncosomes obtained from different types of cancer cells and patient plasma. I will focus on the potentials this EVs offer to study intercellular communication mediated by transfer of molecules and/or entire cytosolic organelles, and on the implications of these findings for liquid biopsy approaches.