Unlocking the potential of extracellular vesicles: A new frontier in liquid biopsies towards precision cancer diagnostics

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized, membrane-bound particles secreted by cells under physiological conditions and are involved in multiple functions, especially cell signaling. They are found in body fluids including blood, saliva, semen, bile, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, breast milk, and urine. The molecular cargoes encapsulated by the EVs provide information about the cells of their origin. More recent developments in liquid biopsies have enabled uncovering the potential diagnostic uses of these vesicles offering an alternative to traditional biopsy enquiries in pathology. In the field of cancer, cancer-associated exosomes have been explored for early diagnosis with biomarkers to determine prognosis and therapy responses. This review filters recent advancements in EV biology and focuses on EV biogenesis and how EVs play a pivotal role in mediating intercellular communication in cancer. We draw attention to EV molecular profile with cargo heterogeneity which warrants scientists to develop precision therapeutic strategies to enhance treatment efficacy. Integrating EV analysis into clinical practice holds significant potential to revolutionize cancer diagnostics and therapeutic approaches, paving the way for more effective patient-centered healthcare solutions.