| AuNPs | Gold nanoparticles |
| ECM | Extracellular matrix |
| EMT | Epithelial–mesenchymal transition |
| ESCRT | Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport |
| ILVs | Intraluminal vesicles |
| MMPs | Matrix metalloproteinases |
| MVBs | Multivesicular bodies |
| PI3K | Phosphoinositide 3-kinase |