Cancer is a complex disease that is associated with genetic aberrations and subsequent cellular and noncellular host responses. Tumors harbor diverse cell types that engage in a dynamic interplay to sustain cancer-specific signaling networks. A component of such cellular communication is the production and exchange of various types of extracellular vesicle (EV). Exosomes are small EVs with growing recognition for their role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy. The unique biogenesis of exosomes, their ubiquitous production by all cell types, and their biological features in liquid biopsies have generated excitement for their potential as cancer biomarkers. Here, we discuss the challenges and utility of exosomes as multiparameter biomarker platforms for the detection of cancer. Exosomes reflect heterogeneous biological changes associated with growing tumors, potentially offering a more comprehensive assessment of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and progression.

癌症是一种复杂的疾病，与遗传畸变以及随后的细胞和非细胞宿主反应相关。肿瘤具有多种细胞类型，它们参与动态相互作用以维持特定于癌症的信号网络。这种细胞通讯的一个组成部分是各种类型的细胞外囊泡（EV）的产生和交换。外来体是小型电动汽车，它们在癌症进展和对治疗的抵抗中的作用日益得到认可。外来体的独特生物发生，所有细胞类型普遍存在的外来体以及它们在液体活检组织中的生物学特征，使其作为癌症生物标志物的潜力引起了人们的兴奋。在这里，我们讨论了外泌体作为检测癌症的多参数生物标志物平台的挑战和实用性。