Access

Research Highlights

Nature Reviews Cancer 8, 408–409 (1 June 2008) | doi:10.1038/nrc2405

Oncogenesis: A sideways move?

Nicola McCarthy

Like many other cells, cancer cells can shed membrane-bound microvesicles, although the function of this is not always clear. Janusz Rak, Khalid Al-Nedawi, Brian Meehan and colleagues have evidence in glioblastoma cells that such vesicles can contain an oncogene, which, when taken up by surrounding cells, can contribute to their transformation.