Investigating the role of osteosarcoma-derived matrix-bound nanovesicles in osteosarcoma progression

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer with peak incidence in young adults. While new therapies have expanded treatment options for other cancers, the standard of care for osteosarcoma has been largely unchanged for 40+ years. Our project aims to understand the mechanisms driving osteosarcoma’s aggressive progression to advance treatments and improve patient outcomes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in biofluids (liquid-EVs) promote tumor growth and metastasis via crosstalk between malignant and healthy cells. Less explored are extracellular matrix-bound EVs (ECM-EVs), such as matrix vesicles (MVs) isolated from mineralizing tissues and matrix bound nanovesicles (MBVs) isolated from soft tissues. The role of MVs and MBVs in cancer progression as it pertains to tumor-stroma communication remains overlooked. Our study investigates the effects of ECM-EVs on MSC cell behavior. This mechanism may unveil EV components with potential as therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma.