Systemic health impact of cancer-associated extracellular vesicles and particles.

Cancer-associated extracellular vesicles and particles are linked to widespread systemic dysfunction across multiple organs, contributing to host morbidity and mortality.

• Why it matters: Understanding how cancer perturbs host tissue homeostasis is crucial for developing holistic treatments that address both tumor growth and its systemic effects, which are often overlooked.
• What they did: The review discusses the role of tumor-derived EVPs in preparing pre-metastatic niches, manipulating organ systems, and mediating immune, metabolic, and neurological dysfunctions, emphasizing their complex intercellular communication.
• The result: Addressing the systemic effects of EVPs may enable new therapeutic strategies that target both primary tumors and their multi-organ paraneoplastic impacts, potentially improving patient survival and quality of life.