Exosomes represent a class of cell-derived bilayered membrane-bound nanovesicles defined by size

surface protein and lipid composition

and the ability to carry bio-information. Their contained mRNAs

miRNAs and proteins are important mediators of intercellular communication. Thus

exosomes participate in many normal and pathological processes. They appear to be promising new tools for the clinical diagnostics and potentially for novel therapeutic strategies. More and more studies focus on the roles of exosomes in cancer development

metastasis

drug resistance

diagnosis and cancer treatments. This article reviewed the current evidence concerning exosome-based cancer researches

as well as the biogenesis of exosomes and their molecular compositions.