:
Widely exploration of noninvasive tumor/cancer biomarkers has shed light on clinical diagnosis. However, many
under-investigated biomarkers showed limited application potency due to low sensitivity and specificity, while extracellular
vehicles (EVs) were gradually recognized as promising candidates. EVs are small vesicles transporting bioactive cargos between cells in multiple physiological processes and also in tumor/cancer pathogenesis. This review aimed to offer recent
studies of EVs on structure, classification, physiological functions, as well as changes in tumor initiation and progression.
Furthermore, we focused on advances of EVs and/or EV-related substances in cancer diagnosis, and summarized ongoing
studies of promising candidates for future investigations.
