Figure 1.

Overview of the role of cancer-derived exosomes in the tumor microenvironment. Exosomes secreted by cancer cells can promote cancer-associated differentiation in adjacent fibroblasts and macrophages polarization towards a tumor-supportive phenotype. Cancer cells can release exosomes that induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in other cancer cells and transfer the resistant phenotype to sensitive cells in the surroundings. Cancer-derived exosomes are able to promote angiogenesis and to suppress the antitumor immune response of T cells.