Extracellular Vesicles and Lipid-Based Communications in Cancer Cells

Cancer progression and metastasis are associated with disrupted intercellular communication and metabolic reprogramming. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and non-vesicular nanoparticles (NVNPs), particularly those enriched in lipids, play essential roles in mediating signaling pathways that promote tumor growth, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. This article describes recent findings on lipid-mediated intercellular communication, with a focus on the lipid composition of EVs and NVNPs, and their involvement in shaping the tumor microenvironment, guiding organotropism, and establishing pre-metastatic niches. Additionally, explore the reverse-microevolution perspective on cancer and investigate the ancestral functions of lipid-based vesicular systems. Biogenesis and intracellular trafficking of exomeres and supermeres are also discussed in this article. Emerging evidence indicates that exploiting the biological properties of these particles could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting lipid-driven oncogenic pathways. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential for intercepting cancer progression at its earliest stages.