Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41190394›Full record

ReviewBiomolecules & biomedicine2025

Exosomes in cancer metabolism and drug resistance: A review.

Ousman Mohammed, Masresha Ahmed Assaye, Ermiyas Alemayehu, Abdisa Tufa, Solomon Genet

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biomolecules & biomedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Research on exosomes in cancer multidrug resistance and clinical translation.Extracellular vesicles and circulating nucleic acids · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ousman MohammedDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Masresha Ahmed AssayeDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ermiyas AlemayehuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Abdisa TufaDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Solomon GenetDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The transfer of molecular cargo in exosomes plays a crucial role in cancer progression, influencing metabolic processes, angiogenesis, immune interactions, and invasive capabilities. This review synthesizes current evidence on how exosomes modulate tumor metabolism and drive drug resistance, and outlines therapeutic opportunities. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies using terms related to exosomes/extracellular vesicles, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), lipid metabolism, and drug resistance/chemoresistance, and integrated the literature qualitatively. Evidence indicates that exosomes reprogram tumor and stromal metabolism by delivering enzymes and non-coding RNAs that boost glycolysis and dampen OXPHOS, activate cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and modulate ferroptosis. They stimulate angiogenesis (e.g., via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/Wnt pathways) and promote immune escape through programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and macrophage reprogramming. Exosomal integrins and proteases contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), organotropism, and pre-metastatic niche formation. Critically, exosomes propagate chemoresistance by exporting drugs and spreading determinants-including P-gp/BCRP/MRP-1, anti-apoptotic proteins, and regulatory RNAs-to previously sensitive cells; adipose-derived vesicles and lipid cargos further reinforce metabolic plasticity and therapy resistance. Given their stability, nanoscale dimensions, and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, exosomes are promising vectors for targeted delivery; engineered vesicles can enhance chemotherapy responsiveness and counteract resistance, particularly alongside immunotherapy. In summary, interventions that disrupt exosome biogenesis, cargo loading, or uptake-paired with engineered exosomes for precision delivery-could mitigate drug resistance, metastasis, and immune evasion and advance more effective cancer treatment.

Indexed as

Drug Resistance, NeoplasmExosomesNeoplasmsAnimalsHumansTumor Microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID41190394
PMCPMC12834316

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.