Exosomes are promising vectors for hydrophobic drug delivery to human cancer cells

Abstract

Exosomes are cell-secreted nanometer scale extracellular vesicles (EVs) involved in transfer of functional miRNA and mRNA, from donor to acceptor cells, that alter gene expression of target (acceptor) cells. The biological function of exosomes suggests that they execute intercellular communication between cells within a given organ, and potentially in a systemic manner, from cells in one organ to a particular cell type in another organ. Existing evidence points to exosomes being capable of cell-specific binding in vivo and endosomal escape upon entering target cells, properties which lend well to their use as drug delivery vehicles.