Extracellular vesicles in the hallmarks of cancer: mediators of intercellular communication and beyond

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Extracellular vesicles (EV), small particles secreted by cells, play a role in cancer progression. This thesis describes how EVs from hypoxic cancer cells promote tumor growth by suppressing immune responses, forming new blood vessels, and altering the metabolism of surrounding cells. The protein GABARAPL1 was found to be crucial for EV production and the development of metastases. Furthermore, EVs were shown to directly modify the extracellular matrix (ECM), facilitating cancer cell invasion and metastasis. These findings highlight the role of EVs in cancer and offer potential pathways for developing new therapies, such as targeting GABARAPL1 to slow tumor growth and metastasis.