Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane particles that represent an endogenous mechanism for cell-to-cell communication. Since discovering that EVs have multiple advantages over currently available delivery platforms, such as their ability to overcome natural barriers, intrinsic cell targeting properties, and circulation stability, the potential use of EVs as therapeutic nanoplatforms for cancer studies has attracted considerable interest. To fully elucidate EVs’ therapeutic function for treating cancer, all current knowledge about cellular uptake and trafficking of EVs will be initially reviewed. In order to further improve EVs as anticancer therapeutics, engineering strategies for cancer therapy have been widely explored in the last decade, along with other cancer therapies. However, therapeutic applications of EVs as drug delivery systems have been limited because of immunological concerns, lack of methods to scale EV production, and efficient drug loading. We will review and discuss recent progress and remaining challenges in developing EVs as a delivery nanoplatform for cancer therapy.
Highlights
Cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted considerable attention over the last decades
We have discussed multiple kinds of Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from different parent cells that are actively involved in tumorigenesis and progression, as well as their roles, functions, and potential in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics
Because of the specific roles of EVs in cancer development and promising potential application as therapeutic agents for cancer therapy, studies have focused on resolving limited production and inadequate content loading within EVs
Summary
Cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted considerable attention over the last decades. When it comes to cancer treatment, small nucleic acids and chemotherapeutic agents (paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOX)) are common cargos co-incubated with endogenous EVs. In a study by Saari et al, PTX was incubated with extracted exosomes derived from prostate cancer cells at 22 °C, and the resulting loaded vesicles could enhance PTX’s cytotoxic effect when treating autologous prostate cancer [62].
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