Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in cancer progression by mediating communication between tumor cells and their microenvironment. One significant study demonstrated that ovarian tumor cells utilize exosome-mediated release of a long non-coding RNA, Tu-Stroma, to reduce the fitness of tumor microenvironment (TME) cells, thereby gaining a competitive advantage (ref: Madan doi.org/10.1038/s41587-024-02453-3/). This finding highlights the active role of cancer cells in manipulating their surroundings to promote growth. Additionally, research on colorectal cancer liver metastasis revealed that myCAF-derived exosomal PWAR6 alters glutamine availability and natural killer (NK) cell function, further emphasizing the importance of EVs in modulating immune responses within the TME (ref: Fang doi.org/10.1186/s13045-024-01643-5/). Furthermore, the identification of tumor-derived miR-9-5p-loaded EVs regulating cholesterol homeostasis in liver metastasis underscores the complex interplay between cancer metabolism and EVs (ref: Li doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54706-z/). Overall, these studies illustrate how EVs facilitate tumor progression through various mechanisms, including metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion. In addition to their roles in tumor growth, EVs are also being explored for their potential in diagnostics and therapeutics. A novel high-throughput platform for single-cell exosome profiling was developed, allowing for the analysis of exosome heterogeneity and functional characteristics at an unprecedented scale (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/adma.202411259/). This technological advancement could significantly enhance our understanding of cancer biology and improve patient stratification in clinical settings. Moreover, the investigation of large microvesicles in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer revealed that OLFM4, induced by viral infection, activates YAP signaling pathways that promote tumor progression (ref: Wen doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54850-6/). Collectively, these findings not only confirm the critical role of EVs in cancer progression but also highlight the need for further research into their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.