Engineering macrophage-derived exosomes for targeted paclitaxel delivery to pulmonary metastases: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

Exosome-based approaches in cancer along with unlocking new insights into regeneration of cancer-prone tissues

Most eukaryotic cells secrete extracellular vesicles called exosomes, which are involved in intercellular communication. Exosomes play a role in tumor development and metastasis by transporting bioactive chemicals from cancerous cells to other cells in local and distant microenvironments. However, the potential of exosomes can be used by engineering them and considering different therapeutic approaches to overcome tumors. Exosomes are a promising drug delivery approach that can help decrease side effects from traditional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy by acting as targeted agents at the tumor site. The present review provides an overview of exosomes and various aspects of the role of exosomes in cancer development, which include these items: exosomes in cancer diagnosis, exosomes and drug delivery, exosomes and drug resistance, exosomal microRNAs and exosomes in tumor microenvironment, etc. Cancer stem cells release exosomes that nurture tumors, promoting unwanted growth and regeneration, and these types of exosomes should be inhibited. Ironically, exosomes from other cells, such as hepatocytes or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are vital for healing organs like the liver and repairing gastric ulcers. Without proper treatment, this healing process can backfire, potentially leading to disease progression or even cancer. What can be found from various studies about the role of exosomes in the field of cancer is that exosomes act like a double-edged sword; on the other hand, natural exosomes in the body may play an important role in the process and progression of cancer, but by engineering exosomes, they can be directed towards target therapy and targeted delivery of drugs to tumor cells. By examining the role and application of exosomes in various mechanisms of cancer, it is possible to help treat this disease more efficiently and quickly in preclinical and clinical research.

Isolation, characterization and therapeutic potentials of exosomes in lung cancer: Opportunities and challenges

Lung cancer (LC) signifies the primary cause of cancer-related mortality, representing 24 % of all cancer fatalities. LC is intricate and necessitates innovative approaches for early detection, precise diagnosis, and tailored treatment. Exosomes (EXOs), a subclass of extracellular vesicles (EVs), are integral to LC advancement, intercellular communication, tumor spread, and resistance to anticancer therapies. EXOs represent a viable drug delivery strategy owing to their distinctive biological characteristics, such as natural origin, biocompatibility, stability in blood circulation, minimal immunogenicity, and potential for modification. They can function as vehicles for targeted pharmaceuticals and facilitate the advancement of targeted therapeutics. EXOs are pivotal in the metastatic cascade, facilitating communication between cancer cells and augmenting their invasive capacity. Nonetheless, obstacles such as enhancing cargo loading efficiency, addressing homogeneity concerns during preparation, and facilitating large-scale clinical translation persist. Interdisciplinary collaboration in research is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of EXOs drug delivery systems. This review explores the role of EXOs in LC, their potential as therapeutic agents, and challenges in their development, aiming to advance targeted treatments. Future research should concentrate on engineering optimization and developing innovative EXOs to improve flexibility and effectiveness in clinical applications.

The combined application of exosomes/exosome-based drug preparations and ultrasound

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30-150 nm, secreted by a variety of cells and containing various active substances such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. The use of exosomes as drug carriers for targeted delivery of therapeutics has been studied for a long time. Ultrasound is recognized as a non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic method for assisting drug loading and targeted delivery, cellular uptake and therapy. In this review, we summarize the applications of ultrasound in assisting drug loading into exosomes, targeted delivery of exosome-based drug formulations, cellular uptake, and therapy, and explore the prospects for the combined application of exosomes/exosome-based drug formulations and ultrasound.

Extracellular vesicle as a next-generation drug delivery platform for rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive damage to connective tissue. It is driven by dysregulated cellular homeostasis, often leading to autoimmune destruction and permanent disability in severe cases. Over the past decade, various drug delivery systems have been developed to enable targeted therapies for disease prevention, reduction, or suppression. As an emerging therapeutic platform, extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer several advantages over conventional drug delivery systems, including biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. Consequently, an increasing number of studies have explored EV-based delivery systems in the treatment of RA, leveraging their natural ability to evade phagocytosis, prolong in vivo half-life, and minimize the immunogenicity of therapeutic agents. In this review, we first provide an in-depth overview of the pathogenesis of RA and the current treatment landscape. We then discuss the classification and biological properties of EVs, their potential therapeutic mechanisms, and the latest advancements in EVs as drug delivery platforms for RA therapy. We emphasize the significance of EVs as carriers in RA treatment and their potential to revolutionize therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we examine key technological innovations and the future trajectory of EV research, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in translating these platforms into clinical practice. Our discussion aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future prospects of EV-based therapeutics in RA.

Extracellular vesicles as nature's nano carriers in cancer therapy: insights toward preclinical studies and clinical applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are secreted by various cell types, hold significant potential for cancer therapy. However, there are several challenges and difficulties that limit their application in clinical settings. This review, which integrates the work of our team and recent advancements in this research field, discusses EV-based cancer treatment strategies to guide their clinical application. The following treatment strategies are discussed: 1) leveraging the inherent properties of EVs for the development of cancer treatments; 2) modifying EVs using EV engineering methods to improve drug loading and delivery; 3) targeting key molecules in tumor-derived EV (TDE) synthesis to inhibit their production; and 4) clearing TDEs from the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, on the basis of research into EV-based vaccines and bispecific antibodies, this review elaborates on strategies to enhance antitumor immunity via EVs and discusses engineering modifications that can improve EV targeting ability and stability and the research progress of AI technology in targeted delivery of EV drugs. Although there are limited strategies for enhancing EV targeting abilities, this review provides an in-depth discussion of prior studies. Finally, this review summarizes the clinical progress on the use of EVs in cancer therapy and highlights challenges that need to be addressed.

Encapsulation of Small Extracellular Vesicles into Selectively Disassemblable Shells of PEGylated Metal-Phenolic Networks

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are cell-derived particles used for intercellular communication in living organisms that have gained great interest from researchers for their use as drug carriers and diagnostic agents. However, the isolation and storage of sEVs lead to issues including lipid membrane disruption, protein denaturation, and nucleic acid degradation. Herein, a surface functionalization strategy is reported for encapsulating single sEV into selectively disassemblable protective shells composed of metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) post-modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Disassemblable MPN shells can be rapidly deposited on sEVs in a one-step manner and post-modified with PEG. These coatings enhance the colloidal stability of sEVs and protect them against harsh storage conditions, while the non-covalent and selectively disassemblable nature of the MPN shell allows recovery after storage without compromising their surface integrity and functionality. It is demonstrated that various triggers, such as pH adjustment, competitive chelation, and redox reactions, can be used to disassemble the MPN shell, thereby offering widely adoptable strategies depending on the target applications. This approach potentially overcomes conventional challenges associated with sEV processing and storage and may contribute to reducing cold-chain requirements and transportation costs of future sEVs-based therapeutics and diagnostics.

Physical characterization of PEGylated exosome constructs: Size, charge, and morphology changes in non-specific alkylating N-terminal reactions

Small extracellular vesicles, commonly referred to as exosomes, withhold a promising future in the pharmaceutical industry as carriers for targeted drug delivery due to their high specificity and bioavailability when compared to synthetic-based vectors. They, however, present some limitations for systematic administration because of natural organism defenses and their high-water solubility, ultimately making it difficult for them to reach the intended target. To improve the delivery capacity of these nanoparticles, the possibility for the construction of PEGylated versions was explored in this work. This process was performed, analyzed, and characterized using N-terminal specific PEGylation reactions targeted to the protein contents in the exosomal membrane. For this, two different mono-methoxy polyethylene glycols (mPEG) of 5 and 20 kDa were reacted with exosomes under alkylating conditions. The resulting 5k and 20k PEGylated exosome constructs were characterized and compared with unmodified exosomes, using size, morphology, and zeta potential as comparison parameters. Results after analysis showed an absorbance reduction of approximately 65% and 34% (for the 5 and 20 kDa conjugates respectively), a reduction of 10 to 20% in peak resolution, particle size increase corresponding to the polymer sizes used, and a slight reduction in electric distribution of about 2 to 3 mV less than the unmodified vesicles. The data obtained may provide insights for the optimization of exosome PEGylation strategies for therapeutic use.

The Roles of Exosomes in Anti-Cancer Drugs

BACKGROUND

Cancer is an escalating global health issue, with rising incidence rates annually. Chemotherapy, a primary cancer treatment, often exhibits low tumor-targeting efficiency and severe side effects, limiting its effectiveness. Recent research indicates that exosomes, due to their immunogenicity and molecular delivery capabilities, hold significant potential as drug carriers for tumor treatment.

METHODS

This review summarizes the current status, powerful therapeutic potential, and challenges of using exosomes for the treatment of tumors.

RESULTS

Exosomes are crucial in tumor diagnosis, onset, and progression. To improve the efficacy of exosome-based treatments, researchers are exploring various biological, physical, and chemical approaches to engineer exosomes as a new nanomedicine translational therapy platform with broad and alterable therapeutic capabilities. Numerous clinical trials are currently underway investigating the safety and tolerability of exosomes carrying drugs to specific sites for the treatment of tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomes can be engineered as carriers to deliver therapeutic molecules to specific cells and tissues, offering a novel approach for disease treatment.

Exosome-based nanomedicines for digestive system tumors therapy

Digestive system tumors constitute a major subset of malignancies, consistently ranking among the leading causes of mortality globally. Despite limitations inherent in current therapeutic modalities, recent advancements in targeted therapy and drug delivery systems have led to significant improvements in the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for digestive system tumors. In this context, exosomes - naturally occurring nanoscale vesicles - have emerged as promising drug delivery candidates due to their intrinsic molecular transport capabilities, superior biocompatibility, and targeted recognition of tumor cells. The integration of exosomes into cancer therapeutics represents a novel and potentially transformative approach for treating digestive system tumors, which may drive further progress in this field. This review comprehensively examines the sources, loading mechanisms, and therapeutic efficacy of exosomes in the context of digestive system tumor treatment. Furthermore, it discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with exosomes, offering insights into their future role within the therapeutic armamentarium against digestive tumors.

Small extracellular vesicles: the origins, current status, future prospects, and applications

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are membrane-bound vesicles with a size of less than 200 nm, released by cells. Due to their relatively small molecular weight and ability to participate in intercellular communication, sEVs can serve not only as carriers of biomarkers for disease diagnosis but also as effective drug delivery agents. Furthermore, these vesicles are involved in regulating the onset and progression of various diseases, reflecting the physiological and functional states of cells. This paper introduces the classification of extracellular vesicles, with a focus on the extraction and identification of sEVs and their significant role in repair, diagnosis, and intercellular communication. Additionally, the paper addresses the engineering modification of sEVs to provide a reference for enhanced understanding and application.

Targeting of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapeutics to the Brain

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been explored as promising vehicles for drug delivery. One of the most valuable features of EVs is their ability to cross physiological barriers, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This significantly enhances the development of EV-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of CNS disorders. The present review focuses on the factors and techniques that contribute to the successful delivery of EV-based therapeutics to the brain. Here, we discuss the major methods of brain targeting which includes the utilization of different administration routes, capitalizing on the biological origins of EVs, and the modification of EVs through the addition of specific ligands on to the surface of EVs. Finally, we discuss the current challenges in large-scale EV production and drug loading while highlighting future perspectives regarding the application of EV-based therapeutics for brain delivery.

Exosomes: from basic research to clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer

Cancer continues to pose a global threat despite potent anticancer drugs, often accompanied by undesired side effects. To enhance patient outcomes, sophisticated multifunctional approaches are imperative. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs), a diverse family of naturally occurring vesicles derived from cells, offer advantages over synthetic carriers. Among the EVs, the exosomes are facilitating intercellular communication with minimal toxicity, high biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity. Their tissue-specific targeting ability, mediated by surface molecules, enables precise transport of biomolecules to cancer cells. Here, we explore the potential of exosomes as innovative therapeutic agents, including cancer vaccines, and their clinical relevance as biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. We highlight the cargo possibilities, including nucleic acids and drugs, which make them a good delivery system for targeted cancer treatment and contrast agents for disease monitoring. Other general aspects, sources, and the methodology associated with therapeutic cancer applications are also reviewed. Additionally, the challenges associated with translating exosome-based therapies into clinical practice are discussed, together with the future prospects for this innovative approach.

Revolutionizing lung cancer treatment: harnessing exosomes as early diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutics and nano-delivery platforms

Lung cancer, known for its high morbidity and mortality rates, remains one of the most critical health challenges globally. Conventional treatment options, such as chemotherapy and surgery, are often limited by high costs, significant side effects, and often yield a poor prognosis. Notably, recent research has shed light on the potential therapeutic roles of exosomes, which essentially influence lung cancer's development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Exosomes have been revealed for their exceptional properties, including natural intercellular communication, excellent biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, prolonged blood circulation ability, and biodegradability. These unique characteristics position exosomes as highly effective drug delivery systems, nanotherapeutics, and potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in lung cancer. This review provides a comprehensive review of the physiological and pathological roles of exosomes in lung cancer, emphasizing their potential as innovative diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutics, and delivery platforms. By harnessing their unique properties, exosomes are poised to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, offering a promising avenue for more personalized and effective therapies.

Extracellular Vesicles for Disease Treatment

Traditional drug therapies suffer from problems such as easy drug degradation, side effects, and treatment resistance. Traditional disease diagnosis also suffers from high error rates and late diagnosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale spherical lipid bilayer vesicles secreted by cells that carry various biologically active components and are integral to intercellular communication. EVs can be found in different body fluids and may reflect the state of the parental cells, making them ideal noninvasive biomarkers for disease-specific diagnosis. The multifaceted characteristics of EVs render them optimal candidates for drug delivery vehicles, with evidence suggesting their efficacy in the treatment of various ailments. However, poor stability and easy degradation of natural EVs have affected their applications. To solve the problems of poor stability and easy degradation of natural EVs, they can be engineered and modified to obtain more stable and multifunctional EVs. In this study, we review the shortcomings of traditional drug delivery methods and describe how to modify EVs to form engineered EVs to improve their utilization. An innovative stimulus-responsive drug delivery system for EVs has also been proposed. We also summarize the current applications and research status of EVs in the diagnosis and treatment of different systemic diseases, and look forward to future research directions, providing research ideas for scholars.

Exosomes: Traversing the blood-brain barrier and their therapeutic potential in brain cancer

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a major challenge for the effective delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain tumor cells from the peripheral blood circulation, making the treatment of central nervous system (CNS)-related cancers more difficult and resistant to both standard treatments and emerging therapies. Exosomes, which serve as messengers for intercellular communication throughout the body, can naturally or be modified to penetrate the BBB. Recently, exosomes have been increasingly explored as an invasive or non-invasive approach for delivering therapeutic agents to the CNS. With their low immunogenicity, ease of modification, excellent cargo protection, and inherent ability to cross the BBB, exosomes hold great promise for revolutionizing targeted therapy for CNS-related diseases, including brain cancer. In this review, we highlight recent discoveries and insights into the mechanisms exosomes use to penetrate the BBB, the methods they employ to payload diverse therapeutics, and their roles in transporting therapeutic compounds for brain cancer and other neurological disorders.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Small Extracellular Vesicles Loaded with ROCK Inhibitor in Parkinson's Disease

Background/Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a rapidly growing neurological disorder in the developed world, affecting millions over the age of 60. The decline in motor functions occurs due to a progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, resulting in lowered dopamine levels and impaired muscle function. Studies show defective mitochondrial autophagy (or "mitophagy") links to PD. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinases (ROCK) 1 and ROCK2 are serine/threonine kinases, and their inhibition can enhance neuroprotection in PD by promoting mitophagy. Methods: We examine the effects of ROCK inhibitor SR3677, delivered via macrophage-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) to Parkin Q311X(A) PD mouse models. sEVs with SR3677, administered intranasally, increased mitophagy gene expression, reduced inflammatory factors, and elevated dopamine levels in brain tissues. Results: ROCK2 expression decreased, showing the drug's inhibitory effect. sEV-SR3677 treatment was more effective than treatment with the drug alone, although sham EVs showed lower effects. This suggests that EV-SR3677 not only activates mitochondrial processes but also promotes the degradation of damaged mitochondria through autophagy. Mitochondrial functional assays and oxygen consumption in ex vivo glial cultures revealed that sEV-SR3677 significantly improved mitochondrial respiration compared to that in untreated or SR3677-only treated cells. Conclusion: We demonstrated the efficacy of ROCK2 inhibition on mitochondrial function via sEV-SR3677 in the PD mouse model, necessitating further studies to explore design challenges and mechanisms of sEV-SR3677 as mitochondria-targeted therapy for PD.

Novel insights into taxane pharmacology: An update on drug resistance mechanisms, immunomodulation and drug delivery strategies

Taxanes are effective in several solid tumors. Paclitaxel, the main clinically available taxane, was approved in the early nineties, for the treatment of ovarian cancer and later on, together with the analogs docetaxel and cabazitaxel, for other malignancies. By interfering with microtubule function and impairing the separation of sister cells at mitosis, taxanes act as antimitotic agents, thereby counteracting the high proliferation rate of cancer cells. The action of taxanes goes beyond their antimitotic function because their main cellular targets, the microtubules, participate in multiple processes such as intracellular transport and cell shape maintenance. The clinical efficacy of taxanes is limited by the development of multiple resistance mechanisms. Among these, extracellular vesicles have emerged as new players. In addition, taxane metronomic schedules shows an impact on the tumor microenvironment reflected by antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects, an aspect of growing interest considering their inclusion in treatment regimens with immunotherapeutics. Preclinical studies have paved the bases for synergistic combinations of taxanes both with conventional and targeted agents. A variety of drug delivery strategies have provided novel opportunities to increase the drug activity. The ability of taxanes to orchestrate different cellular effects amenable to modulation suggests novel options to improve cures in lethal malignancies.

Milk Exosome-Based Delivery System for Probiotic Encapsulation That Enhances the Gastrointestinal Resistance and Adhesion of Probiotics

The oral administration of probiotics is a promising strategy to regulate the host-intestinal flora balance and improve health. Nevertheless, adverse gastrointestinal (GI) conditions affect the activity of free native probiotics. In this study, a novel probiotic encapsulation system based on milk exosomes (mExos) and DSPE-PEG-PBA was developed. mExos acted as a shield to protect probiotics from harsh GI environments, and DSPE-PEG-PBA served as a bridge between mExos and probiotics. The coated probiotics were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and intrinsic fluorescence spectra. The results showed three probiotics (Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB12), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q7 (Q7)) were coated with mExos@DSPE-PEG-PBA, with encapsulation rates of 90.37 ± 0.45%, 84.47 ± 1.22%, and 70.93 ± 2.39%, respectively. This encapsulation not only preserved the growth activity of the probiotics but also provided robust protection against the detrimental effects of acidic pH, bile salts, and digestive enzymes. The encapsulated strains Q7, BB12, and AKK demonstrated survival rates of 80.99 ± 0.41%, 85.28 ± 0.20%, and 94.53 ± 0.26%, respectively, in an in vitro simulated GI environment. The mExos@DSPE-PEG-PBA-encapsulated probiotics exhibited enhanced hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation capacity, accompanied by a significant improvement in mucoadhesive properties, which collectively potentiated their colonization potential within the gastrointestinal tract. These findings substantiate the potential of mExos as an encapsulation platform for probiotics, providing valuable insights into the selection of exosomes as encapsulating agents to enhance probiotic viability and mucoadhesive capacity.

Drug Delivery Systems Based on Dendritic-Cell-Derived Exosomes

Exosomes, spherical lipid-bilayered particles secreted by cells, have recently emerged as a novel and highly promising drug delivery system, attracting extensive attention in the field of biomedical research. Dendritic-cell-derived exosomes (DC-Exos) possess surface protein and ligands characteristic of DC cells, such as functional MHC-I and MHC-II, CD80, CD86. These components play a crucial role in immune responses, facilitating antigen uptake, presentation, and the activation of antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. These properties make them striking and excellent drug delivery vehicles for use in various immune diseases and cancer therapy. This review summarizes and discusses the characteristics, current methods and types of drug loading of DC-Exos. Its surface modifications and application in disease treatment were also discussed, aiming to motivate the development of exosome-based theranostic nanoplatforms and nanotechnology for improved healthcare treatments.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles: a synergetic combination of a drug delivery system and a source of natural bioactive compounds

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted by all cell types and have been studied to understand and treat many human diseases. Exosomes are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, intercellular communication, and the transfer of substances. Over the years, several studies have explored mammalian-derived exosomes for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. Only recently have plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) attracted attention for their ability to overcome many defects associated with using mammalian-derived extracellular vesicles, such as safety and scale-up issues. The ease of large-scale production, low toxicity, low immunogenicity, efficient cellular uptake, high biocompatibility, and high stability of these nanovesicles make them attractive for drug delivery systems. In addition, their native contents of proteins, miRNAs and secondary metabolites could be exploited for pharmaceutical applications in combination with other drugs. The present review intends to provide adequate tools for studying and developing drug delivery systems based on plant-derived EVs. Therefore, indications concerning extraction methods, characterisation, and drug loading will be offered. Their biological composition and content will also be reported. Finally, the current applications of these systems as nanocarriers for pharmacologically active substances will be shown.

Exosome-based platforms for treatment of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune illness characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). The effective delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS continues to be an important barrier in MS treatment due to the blood-brain barrier and limited access to the affected areas. Exosome-based drug delivery systems have become an attractive option for targeted therapy in MS. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles derived from various cell types, possess unique biological properties that make them ideal nanocarriers for delivering therapeutic cargo to specific cell populations in the CNS. In this study, we supply a comprehensive overview of the current advances and future perspectives of exosome-based drug delivery systems for MS. We discuss the biogenesis of exosomes, strategies for cargo loading, engineering approaches to enhance their targeting capabilities, and the potential clinical applications of exosome-mediated drug delivery in MS therapy. Additionally, we explore preclinical studies and animal models that demonstrate the effectiveness of exosome-based drug delivery in ameliorating MS pathology. By highlighting the challenges and opportunities in utilizing exosomes as drug delivery vehicles, this review aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of nanomedicine for MS. Considering the potential of exosome-based drug delivery systems to enhance the accessibility, specificity, and effectiveness of therapies while minimizing off-target effects might change the therapeutic scenario for MS.

Extracellular Vesicle-based Delivery of Paclitaxel to Lung Cancer Cells: Uptake, Anticancer Effects, Autophagy and Mitophagy Pathways

BACKGROUND

Due to their unique properties, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising nanocarriers for exogenous drug delivery.

AIM

We prepared a drug delivery system based on large EVs (LEVs) containing paclitaxel (PTX) (LEVs-PTX) to investigate anticancer effects on lung cancer cells with a focus on autophagy.

METHODS

LEVs-PTX were isolated from lung cancer cells by ultracentrifugation and characterized using different techniques. Rhodamine B dye (Rh B) was used to label LEVs-PTX for cell tracking. MTT assay was performed to investigate the cellular toxicity of PTX and LEVs-PTX for 24 h and 48 h. The uptake of LEVs-PTX was monitored by immunofluorescence microscopy in breast and lung cancer cells. A colorimetric assay was performed to evaluate apoptosis, while Western blotting assays were used to investigate autophagy proteins. Real-time PCR was used to measure mitophagy genes.

RESULTS

Characterization techniques showed that LEVs were isolated and loaded with PTX. Rh B labeled LEVs, which was confirmed by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the lung and breast cancer cells had captured LEVs. Cell viability was decreased in LEVs-PTX cells which coincided with an increase in caspase-3 activity in LEVs-PTX cells. The Beclin-1 protein level and LC3 II/I ratio decreased, while the P62 protein level was increased in LEVs-PTX cells. The mitophagy genes such as Pink-1 and Parkin were upregulated in LEVs-PTX cells.

CONCLUSION

The data show that LEVs-PTX induced apoptosis, which inhibited the autophagy pathway and increased mitophagy markers, suggesting damage to cell organelles through intracellular delivery of PTX.

Research Advances and Application Progress on miRNAs in Exosomes Derived From M2 Macrophage for Tissue Injury Repairing

Tissue injury repair is a multifaceted and dynamic process characterized by complex interactions among various immune cells, with M2 macrophages assuming a crucial role. Exosomes derived from M2-type macrophages (M2-Exos) significantly influence the injury repair process through intercellular communication mediated by enriched microRNAs (miRNAs). This review aims to elucidate the biological processes underlying exosome formation, the synthesis and function of miRNAs, and the diverse methodologies employed for exosome extraction. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive summary of the established multifarious functions and mechanisms of M2-Exos miRNAs in tissue injury repair across different systems, while also exploring their potential applications in disease prevention, diagnosis, and clinical practice. Despite the challenges encountered, the therapeutic use of M2-Exos in clinical contexts appears promising, prompting research efforts to focus on improving the efficiency of exosome extraction and application, as well as ensuring the safety of their clinical utilization.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles as nanocarriers for combination therapy enhancing paclitaxel-based regimens in breast cancer

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents unique challenges owing to its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. Paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is widely used in breast cancer treatment. However, its efficacy is often limited by toxicity, multidrug resistance, and lack of targeted delivery. In response to these challenges, recent studies have focused on the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly plant-derived EVs, as innovative drug delivery systems capable of enhancing therapeutic outcomes and reducing adverse effects. Plant-derived EVs offer significant advantages owing to their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and scalability. They provide a natural platform for delivering chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel and doxorubicin directly to tumor cells. This review explores the therapeutic potential of plant-derived EVs in breast cancer treatment, focusing on TNBC by examining their ability to improve drug stability, bioavailability, and selective targeting of cancer cells. Key studies on EVs derived from plants such as grapefruit, ginger, and tea leaves have demonstrated their capacity to deliver chemotherapeutic agents effectively while mitigating common side effects associated with conventional delivery methods. Although the use of plantderived EVs is still in early stages of research, findings suggest that that these nanocarriers can serve as transformative tools in oncology, providing a versatile and efficient platform for precise cancer treatment. This review highlights current landscape of research on plant-derived EVs, their application in breast cancer therapy, and future directions required to translate these findings into clinical practice. [BMB Reports 2025; 58(2): 53-63].

Exosomes as a Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer: Potential Roles as Drug Carriers and Immune Modulators

Exosome-based cancer immunotherapy is advancing quickly on the concept of artificially activating the immune system to combat cancer. They can mechanistically change the tumor microenvironment, increase immune responses, and function as efficient drug delivery vehicles because of their inherent bioactivity, low toxicity, and immunogenicity. Accurate identification of the mechanisms of action of exosomes in tumor environments, along with optimization of their isolation, purification, and characterization methods, is necessary to increase clinical applications. Exosomes can be modified through cargo loading and surface modification to enhance their therapeutic applications, either before or after the donor cells' isolation. These engineered exosomes can directly target tumor cells at the tumor site or indirectly activate innate and adaptive immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. This approach is particularly effective when combined with traditional cancer immunotherapy techniques such as vaccines, immune checkpoints, and CAR-T cells. It can improve anti-tumor responses, induce long-term immunity, and address the limitations of traditional therapies, such as poor penetration in solid tumors and immunosuppressive environments. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the direct role of engineered exosomes as drug delivery systems and their immunomodulatory effects on tumors as an indirect approach to fighting cancer. Additionally, it will discuss novel immunotherapy options.

Macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles as new players in chronic non-communicable diseases

Macrophages are innate immune cells present in all tissues and play an important role in almost all aspects of the biology of living organisms. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by cells and transport their contents (micro RNAs, mRNA, proteins, and long noncoding RNAs) to nearby or distant cells for cell-to-cell communication. Numerous studies have shown that macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (M-EVs) and their contents play an important role in a variety of diseases and show great potential as biomarkers, therapeutics, and drug delivery vehicles for diseases. This article reviews the biological functions and mechanisms of M-EVs and their contents in chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases and bone-related diseases. In addition, the potential application of M-EVs as drug delivery systems for various diseases have been summarized.

Exosomes as nature's nano carriers: Promising drug delivery tools and targeted therapy for glioma

Exosomes, minute vesicles originating from diverse cell types, exhibit considerable potential as carriers for drug delivery in glioma therapy. These naturally occurring nanocarriers facilitate the transfer of proteins, RNAs, and lipids between cells, offering advantages such as biocompatibility, efficient cellular absorption, and the capability to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In the realm of cancer, particularly gliomas, exosomes play pivotal roles in modulating tumor growth, regulating immunity, and combating drug resistance. Moreover, exosomes serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosing diseases and assessing prognosis. This review aims to elucidate the therapeutic and diagnostic promise of exosomes in glioma treatment, highlighting the innovative advances in exosome engineering that enable precise drug loading and targeting. By circumventing challenges associated with current glioma treatments, exosome-mediated drug delivery strategies can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs like temozolomide and overcome drug resistance mechanisms. This review underscores the multifaceted roles of exosomes in glioma pathogenesis and therapy, underscoring their potential as natural nanocarriers for targeted therapy and heralding a new era of hope for glioma treatment.

The Potential for Extracellular Vesicles in Nanomedicine: A Review of Recent Advancements and Challenges Ahead

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising tools in diagnostics and therapy for chronic diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's. Small EVs, also called exosomes, are lipid-bound particles (≈30-150 nm) that play a role in healthy and pathophysiological interactions, including intercellular communication, by transporting bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Their ability to cross biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier, makes them ideal candidates for targeted therapeutic interventions. In the context of chronic diseases, exosomes can be engineered to deliver active agents, including small molecules and siRNAs to specific target cells, providing a novel approach to precision medicine. Moreover, exosomes show great promise as repositories for diagnostic biomarkers. Their cargo can reflect the physiological and pathological status of the parent cells, making them valuable indicators of disease progression and response to treatment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of exosomes in four chronic diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and orthopedic disease, which significantly impact global public health due to their high prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, the potential of exosomes as valuable tools for theranostics and disease management is highlighted. Finally, the challenges associated with exosomes and their demonstrated potential for advancing future nanomedicine applications are discussed.

Nanotherapeutics for Macrophage Network Modulation in Tumor Microenvironments: Targets and Tools

Macrophage is an important component in the tumor immune microenvironment, which exerts significant influence on tumor development and metastasis. Due to their dual nature of promoting and suppressing inflammation, macrophages can serve as both targets for tumor immunotherapy and tools for treating malignancies. However, the abundant infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages dominated by an immunosuppressive phenotype maintains a pro-tumor microenvironment, and engineering macrophages using nanotechnology to manipulate the tumor immune microenvironment represent a feasible approach for cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, considering the phagocytic and specifically tumor-targeting capabilities of M1 macrophages, macrophages manipulated through cellular engineering and nanotechnology, as well as macrophage-derived exosomes and macrophage membranes, can also become effective tools for cancer treatment. In conclusion, nanotherapeutics targeting macrophages remains immense potential for the development of macrophage-mediated tumor treatment methods and will further enhance our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of various malignants.

Investigating the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles as Delivery Systems for Chemotherapeutics

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Standard chemotherapy is generally considered the best approach to treat many solid cancers, even accounting for severe side effects. Therefore, the development of a drug delivery system for chemotherapeutic administration could significantly improve standard chemotherapy by maintaining the cytotoxic effects of the drugs while decreasing the inherent side effects of the treatment. The aim of our study is the optimization of a loading strategy that conjugates the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as drug delivery carriers, by preserving their integrity, with the loading efficiency and activity maintenance of chemotherapeutics.

METHODS

We compared the EV loading of the chemotherapeutics epirubicin, mitomycin, methotrexate and mitoxantrone by co-incubation. Once loaded, the activity of drug-carrying EVs was tested on cancer cells and compared to that of free chemotherapeutics.

RESULTS

We defined a linear correlation between chemotherapeutics' concentration and their absorbance at the drug-specific wavelength, which allowed the definition of a highly sensitive absorbance-based spectrophotometric quantification system, enabling the assessment of drug loading efficiency. Co-incubation of EVs and chemotherapeutics was sufficient to obtain quantifiable drug loading, and the efficacy of EV loading was drug-dependent. Epirubicin-loaded vesicles showed increased toxicity to bladder cancer cells with respect to the free chemotherapeutic. The cytotoxicity was maintained even upon 6-month storage at -80 °C of loaded EVs.

CONCLUSION

We established an absorbance-based spectrophotometric quantification system that enables a straightforward measure of drug loading efficiency into EVs, and we demonstrated that chemotherapeutic-carrying EVs can be obtained by co-incubation, preserving and increasing drug cytotoxicity.

Role of exosomes in modulating non-small cell lung cancer radiosensitivity

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes a significant proportion of lung cancer cases, and despite advancements in treatment modalities, radiotherapy resistance remains a substantial hurdle in effective cancer management. Exosomes, which are small vesicles secreted by cells, have emerged as pivotal players in intercellular communication and influence various biological processes, including cancer progression and the response to therapy. This review discusses the intricate role of exosomes in the modulation of NSCLC radiosensitivity. The paper focuses on NSCLC and highlights how tumor-derived exosomes contribute to radioresistance by enhancing DNA repair, modulating immune responses, and altering the tumor microenvironment. We further explore the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes to overcome radiotherapy resistance and their potential as biomarkers for predicting therapeutic outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms by which exosomes affect radiotherapy can provide new avenues for enhancing treatment efficacy and improving the survival rates of patients with NSCLC.

Cancer treatment approaches within the frame of hyperthermia, drug delivery systems, and biosensors: concepts and future potentials

This work presents a review of the therapeutic modalities and approaches for cancer treatment. A brief overview of the traditional treatment routes is presented in the introduction together with their reported side effects. A combination of the traditional approaches was reported to demonstrate an effective therapy until a few decades ago. With the improvement in the fabrication of nanomaterials, targeted therapy represents a novel therapeutic approach. This improvement established on nanoparticles is categorized into hyperthermia, drug delivery systems, and biosensors. Hyperthermia presents a personalized medicine-based approach in which targeted zones are heated up until the diseased tissue is destroyed by the thermal effect. The use of magnetic nanoparticles further improved the effectiveness of hyperthermia owing to the enhanced heating action, further increasing the accuracy of the targeting process. Nanoparticle-based biosensors present a smart nanodevice that can detect, monitor, and target tumor tissues by following the biomarkers in the body fluids. Magnetic nanoparticles offer a controlled thermo-responsive device that can be manipulated by changing the magnetic field, offering a more personalized and controlled hyperthermia therapeutic modality. Similarly, gold nanoparticles offer an effective aid in the hyperthermia treatment approach. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes and metal-organic frameworks present a cutting-edge approach to cancer treatment. A combination of functionalized nanoparticles offers a unique route for drug delivery systems, in which therapeutic agents carried by nanoparticles are guided into the human body and then released in the target spot.

Nature's carriers: leveraging extracellular vesicles for targeted drug delivery

With the rapid development of drug delivery systems, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising stars for improving targeting abilities and realizing effective delivery. Numerous studies have shown when compared to conventional strategies in targeted drug delivery (TDD), EVs-based strategies have several distinguished advantages besides targeting, such as participating in cell-to-cell communications and immune response, showing high biocompatibility and stability, penetrating through biological barriers, etc. In this review, we mainly focus on the mass production of EVs including the challenges and strategies for scaling up EVs production in a cost-effective and reproducible manner, the loading and active targeting methods, and examples of EVs as vehicles for TDD in consideration of potential safety and regulatory issues associated. We also conclude and discuss the rigor and reproducibility of EVs production, the current research status of the application of EVs-based strategies to targeted drug delivery, clinical conversion prospects, and existing chances and challenges.

Spheroid-Exosome-Based Bioprinting Technology in Regenerative Medicine

Since the discovery that exosomes can exchange genes, their potential use as tools for tissue regeneration, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic applications has drawn significant attention. Emerging three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, such as bioprinting, which allows the printing of cells, proteins, DNA, and other biological materials, have demonstrated the potential to create complex body tissues or personalized 3D models. The use of 3D spheroids in bioprinting facilitates volumetric tissue reconstruction and accelerates tissue regeneration via exosome secretion. In this review, we discussed a convergence approach between two promising technologies for bioprinting and exosomes in regenerative medicine. Among the various 3D cell culture methods used for exosome production, we focused on spheroids, which are suitable for mass production by bioprinting. We then summarized the research results on cases of bioprinting applications using the spheroids and exosomes produced. If a large number of spheroids can be supplied through bioprinting, the spheroid-exosome-based bioprinting technology will provide new possibilities for application in tissue regeneration, disease diagnosis, and treatment.

Advances in preparation and engineering of plant-derived extracellular vesicles for nutrition intervention

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PLEVs), as a type of naturally occurring lipid bilayer membrane structure, represent an emerging delivery vehicle with immense potential due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, shield them from external environmental stresses, control release, exhibit biocompatibility, and demonstrate biodegradability. This comprehensive review analyzes engineering preparation strategies for natural vesicles, focusing on PLEVs and their purification and surface engineering. Furthermore, it encompasses the latest advancements in utilizing PLEVs to transport active components, serving as a nanotherapeutic system. The prospects and potential development of PLEVs are also discussed. It is anticipated that this work will not only address existing knowledge gaps concerning PLEVs but also provide valuable guidance for researchers in the fields of food science and biomedical studies, stimulating novel breakthroughs in plant-based therapeutic options.

Exosome therapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer tumorigenesis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains an ongoing health concern, with poor treatment options and prognosis for many patients. Typically, individuals with lung cancer are detected at the middle and terminal stages, resulting in poor medical results due to lack of initial diagnosis and treatment. So, finding the initial specific and effective therapy options for lung cancer is necessary. In addition, exosomes are generally small lipid vesicles with a diameter in the nanometer range that are created and released by different cell types. Exosomes have therapeutic potential through delivering bioactive compounds including microRNAs, siRNAs, and therapeutic proteins to tumor cells, modifying the tumor microenvironment, and promoting anti-tumor immune responses. In recent years, exosome-based therapy has become known as an appropriate approach for NSCLC treatment. This review offers an overview of the possibility of exosome-based therapy for NSCLC, with an emphasis on mechanisms of action, preclinical research, and current clinical trials. Preclinical studies have shown that exosome-based therapy can decrease tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance in NSCLC models. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are looking at the safety and efficacy of exosome-based therapies in NSCLC patients, offering important insights into their translational prospects. Despite promising preclinical evidences, significant obstacles remain, including optimizing exosome isolation and purification techniques, standardizing production strategies, and developing scalable manufacturing processes. Overall, exosome-based therapy shows significant promise as a novel and various methods for treating NSCLC, with the potential to enhance patient outcomes and evolution cancer treatment.

A comprehensive review of challenges and advances in exosome-based drug delivery systems

Exosomes or so-called natural nanoparticles have recently shown enormous potential for targeted drug delivery systems. Several studies have reported that exosomes as advanced drug delivery platforms offer efficient targeting of chemotherapeutics compared to individual polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes. Taking structural constituents of exosomes, viz., proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, into consideration, exosomes are the most promising carriers as genetic messengers and for treating genetic deficiencies or tumor progression. Unfortunately, very little attention has been paid to the factors like source, scalability, stability, and validation that contribute to the quality attributes of exosome-based drug products. Some studies suggested that exosomes were stable at around -80 °C, which is impractical for storing pharmaceutical products. Currently, no reports on the shelf-life and in vivo stability of exosome formulations are available. Exosomes are quickly cleared from blood circulation, and their in vivo distribution depends on the source. Considering these challenges, further studies are necessary to address major limitations such as poor drug loading, reduced in vivo stability, a need for robust, economical, and scalable production methods, etc., which may unlock the potential of exosomes in clinical applications. A few reports based on hybrid exosomes involving hybridization between different cell/tumor/macrophage-derived exosomes with synthetic liposomes through membrane fusion have shown to overcome some limitations associated with natural or synthetic exosomes. Yet, sufficient evidence is indispensable to prove their stability and clinical efficacy.

Cationized extracellular vesicles for gene delivery

Last decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) attracted a lot of attention as potent versatile drug delivery vehicles. We reported earlier the development of EV-based delivery systems for therapeutic proteins and small molecule chemotherapeutics. In this work, we first time engineered EVs with multivalent cationic lipids for the delivery of nucleic acids. Stable, small size cationized EVs were loaded with plasmid DNA (pDNA), or mRNA, or siRNA. Nucleic acid loaded EVs were efficiently taken up by target cells as demonstrated by confocal microscopy and delivered their cargo to the nuclei in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and macrophages. Efficient transfection was achieved by engineered cationized EVs formulations of pDNA- and mRNA in vitro. Furthermore, siRNA loaded into cationized EVs showed significant knockdown of the reporter gene in Luc-expressing cells. Overall, multivalent cationized EVs represent a promising strategy for gene delivery.

Extracellular vesicles in cancer: golden goose or Trojan horse

Intercellular communication can be mediated by direct cell-to-cell contact and indirect interactions through secretion of soluble chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of cell-to-cell and cell-to-environment communications. EVs from tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells can remodel the tumor microenvironment and promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. Most importantly, EVs as natural nanoparticles can be manipulated to serve as a potent delivery system for targeted cancer therapy. EVs can be engineered or modified to improve their ability to target tumors and deliver therapeutic substances, such as chemotherapeutic drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins, for the treatment of cancer. This review provides an overview of the biogenesis and recycling of EVs, discusses their roles in cancer development, and highlights their potential as a delivery system for targeted cancer therapy.

Engineering Approaches for Exosome Cargo Loading and Targeted Delivery: Biological versus Chemical Perspectives

Exosomes are nanoscale membrane bound vesicles secreted by almost all types of cells. Their unique attributes, such as minimal immunogenicity and compatibility with biological systems, make them novel carriers for drug delivery. These native exosomes harbor proteins, nucleic acids, small molecule compounds, and fluorogenic agents. Moreover, through a combination of chemical and bioengineering methodologies, exosomes are tailored to transport precise therapeutic payloads to designated cells or tissues. In this review, we summarize the strategies for exosome modification and drug loading modalities in engineered exosomes. In addition, we provide an overview of the advances in the use of engineered exosomes for targeted drug delivery. Lastly, we discuss the merits and limitations of chemically engineered versus bioengineered exosome-mediated target therapies. These insights offer additional options for refining engineered exosomes in pharmaceutical development and hold promise for expediting the successful translation of engineered exosomes from the bench to the bedside.

Engineered exosomes: a promising strategy for tendon-bone healing

BACKGROUND

Due to the spatiotemporal complexity of the composition, structure, and cell population of the tendon-bone interface (TBI), it is difficult to achieve true healing. Recent research is increasingly focusing on engineered exosomes, which are a promising strategy for TBI regeneration.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review discusses the physiological and pathological characteristics of TBI and the application and limitations of natural exosomes in the field of tendon-bone healing. The definition, loading strategies, and spatiotemporal properties of engineered exosomes were elaborated. We also summarize the application and future research directions of engineered exosomes in the field of tendon-bone healing.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Engineered exosomes can spatially deliver cargo to targeted sites and temporally realize the sustained release of therapeutic molecules in TBI. This review expounds on the multidifferentiation of engineered exosomes for tendon-bone healing, which effectively improves the biological and biomechanical properties of TBI. Engineered exosomes could be a promising strategy for tendon-bone healing.

A Review: Surface Engineering of Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems

This review explores the evolution of lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) for drug delivery (DD). Herein, LBNPs are classified into liposomes and cell membrane-based nanoparticles (CMNPs), each with unique advantages and challenges. Conventional LBNPs possess drawbacks such as poor targeting, quick clearance, and limited biocompatibility. One of the possible alternatives to overcome these challenges is surface modification of nanoparticles (NPs) with materials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), aptamers, antibody fragments, peptides, CD44, hyaluronic acid, folic acid, palmitic acid, and lactoferrin. Thus, the main focus of this review will be on the different surface modifications that enable LBNPs to have beneficial properties for DD, such as enhancing mass transport properties, immune evasion, improved stability, and targeting. Moreover, various CMNPs are explored used for DD derived from cells such as red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, leukocytes, cancer cells, and stem cells, highlighting their unique natural properties (e.g., biocompatibility and ability to evade the immune system). This discussion extends to the biomimicking of hybrid NPs accomplished through the surface coating of synthetic (mainly polymeric) NPs with different cell membranes. This review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers on recent advances in the field of surface modification of LBNPs and CMNPs. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the dynamic field of lipid-based DD systems.

Drug delivery based exosomes uptake pathways

Most cells secrete a material called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play a crucial role in cellular communication. Exosomes are one of the most studied types of EVs. Recent research has shown the many functions and substrates of cellular exosomes. Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of exosomes in transporting a wide variety of cargo to their respective target cells. As a result, they are often utilized to transport medicaments to patients. Natural exosomes as well as exosomes modified with other compounds to enhance transport capabilities have been employed. In this article, we take a look at how different types of exosomes and modified exosomes may transport different types of cargo to their respective targets. Exosomes have a lot of potential as drug delivery vehicles for many synthetic compounds, proteins, nucleic acids, and gene repair specialists because they can stay in the body for a long time, are biocompatible, and can carry natural materials. A good way to put specific protein particles into exosomes is still not clear, though, and the exosomes can't be used in many situations yet. The determinants for exosome production, as well as ways for loading certain therapeutic molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and small compounds), were covered in this paper. Further study and the development of therapeutic exosomes may both benefit from the information collected in this review.

Enhanced oral bioavailability and in vitro evaluation of cannabidiol camel milk-derived exosome formulation in resistant MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells

The potential of camel milk-derived exosomes (CMDE) to enhance the bioavailability of Cannabidiol (CBD) was investigated. CBD-CMDE formulation was prepared using an established procedure and its particle size was 138.4 ± 4.37 nm, and CBD entrapment efficiency of 56.56 ± 4.26 %. In-vitro release studies showed release of 78.27 ± 5.37 % and 46.42 ± 4.75 % CBD from CMDE and control CBD formulation respectively in pH 6.8 at 24 hr. The apparent permeability (Papp) of CBD-CMDE was found to be enhanced by 3.95-fold with Papp of 22.9*10-6 ± 0.34 cm/sec as compared to control CBD formulation with Papp of 5.8*10-6 ± 0.65 cm/sec in MDCK cells. CBD-CMDE was found to be more potent than CBD in 2D cytotoxicity assay with IC50 values of 3.6 ± 0.54 µM, 3.88 ± 0.54 µM and 7.53 ± 0.59 µM, 7.53 ± 0.59 µM against Doxorubicin (DOX) resistant MDA-MB-231 and Rapamycin (RM) resistant MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells respectively. Moreover, 3D spheroids assay results demonstrated CBD-CMDE with IC50 values of 14 ± 0.85 µM, 15 ± 0.07 µM as compared to CBD alone with IC50 values of 25 ± 0.93 µM, 34.7 ± 0.08 µM in MDA-MB-231 DOX RT cells and MDA-MB-468 RM RT cells respectively. In-vivo PK studies showed enhanced bioavailability of CBD from CBD-exosomes with AUC(0-24h) of 1350.56 ± 187.50 h.ng/mL as compared to CBD control formulation with AUC(0-24h) of 351.95 ± 39.10 h.ng/mL with a single oral dose of 12 mg/kg. The data indicate that CMDE significantly improved the oral bioavailability of CBD. Overall, CMDE can be used to enhance the oral absorption of poorly bioavailable APIs.

Extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy: potential, progress, and clinical challenges

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in normal life activities and disease treatment. In recent years, there have been abundant relevant studies focusing on EVs for cancer therapy and showing good performance on tumor inhibition. To enhance the effectiveness of EVs, EV analogs have been developed. This review summarizes the classification, origin, production, purification, modification, drug loading and cancer treatment applications of EVs and their analogs. Also, the characteristics of technologies involved are analyzed, which provides the basis for the development and application of biogenic vesicle-based drug delivery platform for cancer therapy. Meanwhile, challenges in translating these vesicles into clinic, such as limited sources, lack of production standards, and insufficient targeting and effectiveness are discussed. With ongoing exploration and clinical studies, EV-based drugs will make great contributions to cancer therapy.

Extracellular Vesicles: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications in Cancer

In recent years, knowledge of cell-released extracellular vesicle (EV) functions has undergone rapid growth. EVs are membrane vesicles loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and bioactive molecules. Once released into the extracellular space, EVs are delivered to target cells that may go through modifications in physiological or pathological conditions. EVs are nano shuttles with a crucial role in promoting short- and long-distance cell-cell communication. Comprehension of the mechanism that regulates this process is a benefit for both medicine and basic science. Currently, EVs attract immense interest in precision and nanomedicine for their potential use in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies. This review reports the latest advances in EV studies, focusing on the nature and features of EVs and on conventional and emerging methodologies used for their separation, characterization, and visualization. By searching an extended portion of the relevant literature, this work aims to give a summary of advances in nanomedical applications of EVs. Moreover, concerns that require further studies before translation to clinical applications are discussed.

Extracellular vesicles in cancer: challenges and opportunities for clinical laboratories

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized particles secreted by most cells. They transport different types of biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids) characteristic of their tissue or cellular origin that can mediate long-distance intercellular communication. In the case of cancer, EVs participate in tumor progression by modifying the tumor microenvironment, favoring immune tolerance and metastasis development. Consequently, EVs have great potential in liquid biopsy for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up. In addition, EVs could have a role in cancer treatment as a targeted drug delivery system. The intense research in the EV field has resulted in hundreds of patents and the creation of biomedical companies. However, methodological issues and heterogeneity in EV composition have hampered the advancement of EV validation trials and the development of EV-based diagnostic and therapeutic products. Consequently, only a few EV biomarkers have moved from research to clinical laboratories, such as the ExoDx Prostate IntelliScore (EPI) test, a CLIA/FDA-approved EV prostate cancer diagnostic test. In addition, the number of large-scale multicenter studies that would clearly define biomarker performance is limited. In this review, we will critically describe the different types of EVs, the methods for their enrichment and characterization, and their biological role in cancer. Then, we will specially focus on the parameters to be considered for the translation of EV biology to the clinic laboratory, the advances already made in the field of EVs related to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the issues still pending to be solved before EVs could be used as a routine tool in oncology.

Unveiling Invisible Extracellular Vesicles: Cutting-Edge Technologies for Their in Vivo Visualization

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized lipid bilayer vesicles released by nearly all types of cells, play pivotal roles as intercellular signaling mediators with diverse biological activities. Their adaptability has attracted interest in exploring their role as disease biomarker theranostics. However, the in vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profiles of EVs, particularly following administration into living subjects, remain unclear. Thus, in vivo imaging is vital to enhance our understanding of the homing and retention patterns, blood and tissue half-life, and excretion pathways of exogenous EVs, thereby advancing real-time monitoring within biological systems and their therapeutic applications. This review examines state-of-the-art methods including EV labeling with various agents, including optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear imaging. The strengths and weaknesses of each technique are comprehensively explored, emphasizing their clinical translation. Despite the potential of EVs as cancer theranostics, achieving a thorough understanding of their in vivo behavior is challenging. This review highlights the urgency of addressing current questions in the biology and therapeutic applications of EVs. It underscores the need for continued research to unravel the complexities surrounding EVs and their potential clinical implications. By identifying these challenges, this review contributes to ongoing efforts to optimize EV imaging techniques for clinical use. Ultimately, bridging the gap between research advancements and clinical applications will facilitate the integration of EV-based theranostics, marking a crucial step toward harnessing the full potential of EVs in medical practice.

The roles of exosomes in esophageal cancer

The incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer (EC) are higher worldwide. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles derived from various types of cells, exhibiting a stable presence in bodily fluids, and contain a plethora of bioactive components including proteins, DNA, and RNA. Exosomes can mediate cell-to-cell communication and signaling. Numerous studies conducted both domestically and internationally have indicated the significant involvement of exosomes in tumor development and their potential as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for liquid biopsy. This review seeks to consolidate the role of exosomes and bioactive substances in the progression of EC and elaborate on the opportunities and challenges associated with the clinical application of exosomes in EC.