Mechanisms of inducing cancer extracellular vesicles secretion and transfer for cancer malignancy

Assistant Professor Nao Nishida-Aoki, Waseda Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS), is investigating the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in physiological tumour tissue environments in order to improve cancer treatments. Communication tools like EVs are used by cancer cells to educate the surrounding cells and make them supportive to cancer cell growth and metastasis. Nishida-Aoki’s research focuses on understanding EV-mediated communication within the complex tissue environment of patient tumours, where they are secreted in densely packed cells and non-cellular components forming a 3D structure. She has developed ex vivo brain and lung metastatic models using organotypic tissue slice culture (TSC). This enables her to observe EV transfer within tissue architecture in real time, identify target cells affected by cancer EVs and determine how they are distributed. Nishida-Aoki is also exploring the mechanisms of inducible secretion of cancer extracellular vesicles upon cell recognition and contribution to cancer malignancy. Her research is investigating the molecular mechanics by which cancer cells regulate and the extent of interactions with neighbouring cells using EVs at metastatic initiation. She has hypothesised that cancer cells should increase communication frequency using EVs when they meet other types of cells in a new environment to benefit themselves. By elucidating the molecular basis of cancer-normal cell interactions mediated by EVs, Nishida-Aoki aims to develop novel cancer therapeutic strategies.