Monocytes educated by cancer-associated fibroblasts secrete exosomal miR-181a to activate AKT signaling in breast cancer cells.

Our findings established a connection between tumor stromal communication and tumor progression and demonstrated an inductive function for CAF-educated monocytes in BC cell progression. We also proposed a supporting model in which exosomal transfer of miR-181a from CAF-educated monocytes activates AKT signaling by regulating PTEN in BC cells.