MicroRNAs delivered by extracellular vesicles: an emerging resistance mechanism for breast cancer

Tumour Biol. 2014 Apr;35(4):2883-92. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-1417-4. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

Abstract

Resistance to chemotherapy and endocrine therapy as well as targeted drugs is a major problem in treatment of breast cancer. Over the last decades, emerging studies have revealed that extracellular vesicles, which are chronically released by breast cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, influence the action of most commonly used therapeutics. Such modulatory effects have been related to the transport of biologically active molecules including proteins and functional microRNAs. In this review, we highlight recent studies regarding extracellular vesicle-mediated microRNA delivery in formatting drug resistance. We also suggest the use of extracellular vesicles as a promising method in antiresistance treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / physiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • Tumor Escape

Substances

  • MicroRNAs