Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Metabolism: Role and Therapeutic Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, have emerged as critical mediators of intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment. By transferring bioactive cargo — proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites — EVs enable cancer cells to reprogram metabolic pathways in both neighboring and distant cells, thereby promoting tumor growth, immune evasion, and metastatic spread. Accumulating evidence indicates that tumor-derived EVs can induce aerobic glycolysis, alter lipid metabolism, and modulate amino acid and mitochondrial pathways in recipient cells, effectively reshaping the metabolic landscape to favor disease progression. Despite rapid advances, our understanding of the precise molecular mechanisms by which EVs regulate cancer metabolism remains incomplete, and the translational potential of EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics is only beginning to be realized.This Research Topic, “Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Metabolism: Role and Therapeutic Applications,” aims to bring together original research and reviews that investigate the bidirectional relationship between EVs and metabolic reprogramming in cancer. The primary objectives are to elucidate how tumor-derived and stromal-derived EVs alter metabolic networks to support tumor initiation, progression, drug resistance, and metastasis, and to explore how these insights can be translated into novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. By integrating perspectives from EV biology, cancer metabolism, immunology, and clinical oncology, this Research Topic seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and accelerate the development of EV-informed precision medicine approaches.We welcome original research articles, reviews, mini reviews, and perspectives that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:● Mechanisms by which tumor-derived EVs reprogram glucose, lipid, amino acid, and mitochondrial metabolism in recipient cells● Role of EVs in mediating metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and endothelial cells within the tumor microenvironment● EV-mediated metabolic reprogramming in pre-metastatic niche formation and organ-specific metastasis● Influence of EVs on metabolic adaptation and therapy resistance in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy● EV cargo profiling (proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics) as a source of metabolic biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring● Engineered EVs and EV-based drug delivery systems targeting cancer metabolic vulnerabilities● EV-driven modulation of immune cell metabolism and its impact on antitumor immunity● Computational and multi-omics approaches to map EV-mediated metabolic networks in cancer● Clinical and preclinical studies evaluating EVs as liquid biopsy tools or therapeutic agents in the context of cancer metabolism Topic editors: Sheila Spada, Fu-Rong Li, Lin Ding Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79932/extracellular-vesicles-in-cancer-metabolism-role-and-therapeutic-applications