Transforming the Niche: The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Progression

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) management remains a significant challenge in oncology due to its low survival rates and high post-treatment relapse rates, mainly attributed to treatment-resistant leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) residing in bone marrow (BM) niches. This review offers an in-depth analysis of AML progression, highlighting the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the dynamic remodelling of BM niche intercellular communication. We explore recent advancements elucidating the mechanisms through which EVs facilitate complex crosstalk, effectively promoting AML hallmarks and drug resistance. Adopting a temporal view, we chart the evolving landscape of EV-mediated interactions within the AML niche, underscoring the transformative potential of these insights for therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, the review discusses the emerging understanding of endothelial cell subsets’ impact across BM niches in shaping AML disease progression, adding another layer of complexity to the disease progression and treatment resistance. We highlight the potential of cutting-edge methodologies, such as organ-on-chip (OoC) and single-EV analysis technologies, to provide unprecedented insights into AML–niche interactions in a human setting. Leveraging accumulated insights into AML EV signalling to reconfigure BM niches and pioneer novel approaches to decipher the EV signalling networks that fuel AML within the human context could revolutionise the development of niche-targeted therapy for leukaemia eradication.