Increasing evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key players in undesirable cell–cell communication in cancer. However, the release of EVs is not unique to cancer cells; normal cells release EVs to perform physiological roles. Thus, selective inhibition of EV release from cancer cells is desirable. Hypoxia contributes to tumour development and aggressiveness. EV quantities and thus undesirable communications are substantially increased in hypoxia. Targeting hypoxia could selectively inhibit EV release from tumour cells without disturbing physiologically relevant EVs. The unfavourable association between hypoxia and EV release is evident in multiple tumour types; therefore, targeting hypoxia could have a broad therapeutic benefit.

越来越多的证据表明，细胞外囊泡（EV）是癌症不良细胞间通讯的关键参与者。但是，EV的释放并非癌细胞独有。正常细胞释放电动势以发挥生理作用。因此，期望选择性抑制从癌细胞释放的EV。缺氧有助于肿瘤的发展和侵略性。在缺氧状态下，EV数量以及因此产生的不良交流会大大增加。靶向缺氧可以选择性抑制肿瘤细胞释放EV，而不会干扰生理相关的EV。在多种肿瘤类型中，低氧与EV释放之间存在不利的联系。因此，靶向缺氧可能具有广泛的治疗益处。