Cell Progression and Survival Functions of Enzymes Secreted in Extracellular Vesicles Associated with Breast and Prostate Cancers

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound cargoes secreted by normal and pathological cells. Through their protein, nucleic acid, and lipid cargoes, EVs mediate several cellular processes, such as cell-cell communication, cell development, immune response, and tissue repair. Most importantly, through their enzyme cargo, EVs mediate pathophysiological processes, including the pathogenesis of cancer. In this review, we enumerate several enzymes secreted in EVs (EV enzyme cargo) from cells and patient clinical samples of breast and prostate cancers and detail their contributions to the progression and survival of both cancers. Findings in this review reveal that the EV enzyme cargo could exert cell progression functions via adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. The EV enzyme cargo might also influence cell survival functions of chemoresistance, radioresistance, angiogenesis, cell death inhibition, cell colony formation, and immune evasion. While the current literature provides evidence of the possible contributions of the EV enzyme cargo to the progression and survival mechanisms of breast and prostate cancers, future studies are required to validate that these effects are modified by EVs and provide insights into the clinical applications of the EV enzyme cargo in breast and prostate cancer.

Keywords: breast; cancer; enzymes; extracellular; progression; prostate; proteins; survival; tumor; vesicles.

Figure 1

Components of extracellular vesicles. EVs are membrane-bound carriers of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. EVs are structurally composed of specific proteins, including receptors, surface antigens, adhesion molecules, and tetraspanins. The image was created with BioRender.com (accessed on 14 January 2025).

Figure 2

Roles of enzymes in the pathogenesis of breast and prostate cancers. In breast and prostate cancers, enzymes are implicated in metabolism, oncogenic signaling, proliferation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), among others. The image was created with BioRender.com (accessed on 14 January 2025).

Figure 3

Progression and survival signals in cancer. To progress, cancer cells turn on tumor progression signals, such as adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. To survive, cancer cells turn on tumor adaptative signals, such as chemo/radioresistance, angiogenesis, colony formation, and cell death inhibition. The image was created with BioRender.com (accessed on 20 March 2025).

Figure 4

Clinical potential of cancer-associated EVs. By harnessing EVs through various approaches guided by their cargo (nucleic acid-based, protein-based, and lipid-based approaches), the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, could be achieved. The image was created with BioRender.com (accessed on 17 February 2025).