Tumour-derived exosomes in liver metastasis: A Pandora's box

The liver is a common secondary metastasis site of many malignant tumours, such as the colorectum, pancreas, stomach, breast, prostate, and lung cancer. The clinical management of liver metastases is challenging because of their strong heterogeneity, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. Now, exosomes, small membrane vesicles that are 40-160 nm in size, are released by tumour cells, namely, tumour-derived exosomes (TDEs), and are being increasingly studied because they can retain the original characteristics of tumour cells. Cell-cell communication via TDEs is pivotal for liver pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation and liver metastasis; thus, TDEs can provide a theoretical basis to intensively study the potential mechanisms of liver metastasis and new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of liver metastasis. Here, we systematically review current research progress about the roles and possible regulatory mechanisms of TDE cargos in liver metastasis, focusing on the functions of TDEs in liver PMN formation. In addition, we discuss the clinical utility of TDEs in liver metastasis, including TDEs as potential biomarkers, and therapeutic approaches for future research reference in this field.