Extracellular Vesicles in Platinum Drug Resistance: Unifying Molecular Mechanisms, Multi-Cancer Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Strategies

Platinum-based chemotherapy is foundational in the management of a wide range of solid malignancies, yet the emergence of drug resistance sharply limits long-term clinical success. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key conveyors of intercellular information, carrying diverse bioactive cargo—including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), proteins, and lipids—that mediate tumor progression and therapy response. While numerous studies have identified specific EV-associated molecules with high potential as biomarkers for platinum resistance, research remains largely siloed within individual cancer types or methodologies. This has led to a fragmented landscape, where mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic strategies are rarely integrated or translated across tumor contexts. There is a pressing need for unified frameworks that bridge basic EV biology with translational and clinical applications in the context of platinum-based chemotherapy.This Research Topic aims to serve as a comprehensive reference point, unifying discoveries on EV-mediated platinum resistance across diverse cancers. The main goal is to synthesize molecular findings and bioinformatic advances, clarify the role of EVs in the propagation of resistance mechanisms, and highlight actionable, cross-disease biomarkers. By fostering multidisciplinary dialogue, the collection seeks to define shared therapeutic vulnerabilities and catalyze the development of universal or cancer-specific interventions. The ultimate objective is to overcome current knowledge silos and drive innovation from mechanistic insight to clinical practice, focusing on the question: How can a unified EV framework advance the management of platinum-resistant cancers?This Research Topic will focus on the intersection of molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and translational strategies related to EVs in platinum resistance, without extending to non-platinum therapies or unrelated tumor types. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives encompassing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Bioinformatic approaches and omics studies (e.g., RNASeq, proteomics) elucidating EV cargo involved in resistance transferIdentification and clinical validation of multi-cancer EV-derived biomarkers predictive of platinum response- Therapeutic strategies targeting EV biogenesis, release, and uptake, as well as the application of engineered EVs as drug delivery vehicles- Comparative and integrative analyses that unify molecular mechanisms of EV-mediated resistance across multiple cancer types- Systematic reviews or meta-analyses highlighting common pathways and therapeutic targets emergent from cross-cancer studies Topic editors: Anna Biernacka, Jian Wang, Priya Samuel Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80545/extracellular-vesicles-in-platinum-drug-resistance-unifying-molecular-mechanisms-multi-cancer-biomarkers-and-therapeutic-strategies