The study of extracellular vesicle (EV) function, biomarkers and derivative therapeutics comprise the primary research interests of our laboratory. EVs include exosomes, naturally occurring biological nanovesicles approximately < 200 nm in size, shedding vesicles, typically   > 200 nm, and apoptotic bodies. EVs have been shown to participate in cell-to-cell communication including RNA transport between cells. Tumor EVs participate in pathogenic tumor processes including angiogenesis, immune suppression, growth, metastasis, and others.

In past investigations we discovered that melanoma exosomes prepare lymph nodes for metastasis by establishing pre-metastatic niches. We are continuing to build on this finding by investigating the influence of tumor EVs on macrophage-mediated tumor supportive functions and developing means to convert EVs into biocompatible therapeutic nanocarriers to target and treat tumor microenvironments. These research pursuits provide a translational platform to develop novel EV-based biomarkers and personalized immunotherapeutics to treat melanoma, glioma, lung, and liver cancer.