The interweaving relationship between extracellular vesicles and T cells in cancer

The interdependency between cancer cells and immune cells is an important link in understanding cancer pathogenesis. T cells are important immune cells that are able to either impede or promote tumor growth. Extracellular vesicles or EVs are membrane-encapsulated vesicles that are released by both cancer and immune cells that can act as communicators. Studies have shown that tumor-derived EVs can interact with immune cells, particularly T cells. Vice versa, T cells-derived EVs have also been shown to possess immunomodulatory roles. Therefore, the purpose of this mini-review is to understand the role of tumor-derived EVs and T-cells derived EVs on cancer immunosuppression especially the interweaving role of different types of EVs and how it affects tumor immunity. We also discuss the role of EVs in different types of T cells namely CD8+, CD4+ Th17 and Treg cells. More importantly, we include the limitations and future directions involving this type of research. This will further elucidate our understanding of the important functions of these tiny mediators. •Tumor-derived EVs have been shown to be immunosuppressive towards CD8 and CD4 T cells, but promote Treg cells.•Nevertheless, the role of T cell-derived EVs is inconclusive and indirect especially towards cancer cells.•Research into the roles of T-cells derived EVs especially related to opposing roles towards tumor-derived EVs is needed.