Microparticles and exosomes in gynecologic neoplasias

Abstract

This review presents an overview of the functions of microparticles and exosomes in gynecologic neoplasias. Growing evidence suggests that vesicles released from cancer cells in gynecologic malignancies contribute to the hypercoagulable state of these patients and contribute to tumor progression by suppressing the immune system, facilitating extracellular matrix degradation and removal of cytostatics from the tumor cell. Exosomes from ovarian carcinoma cells were shown to be present in peripheral blood and to augment tumor growth, suggesting that these vesicles directly support growth of tumor cells.