Engineered Extracellular Vesicles as a Reliable Tool in Cancer Nanomedicine

Abstract

Fast diagnosis and more efficient therapies for cancer surely represent one of the huge tasks for the worldwide researchers’ and clinicians’ community. In the last two decades, our understanding of the biology and molecular pathology of cancer mechanisms, coupled with the continuous development of the material science and technological compounds, have successfully improved nanomedicine applications in oncology. This review argues on nanomedicine application of engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) in oncology. All the most innovative processes of EVs engineering are discussed together with the related degree of applicability for each one of them in cancer nanomedicines.

EVs and Bioengineering: From Cellular Products to Engineered Nanomachines

“…The cargo and the EVs are only incubated for a period of time at room temperature [ 51 , 54 , 55 ] or at 37 °C [ 48 , 49 , 53 ]. It is a very simple method, with the advantage of preserving the morphology of the EVs [ 5 ]. The cargo can diffuse into the EV following the concentration gradient and cross the membrane thanks to the small dimension and the lipophilic nature [ 48 , 49 ], or (as curcumin [ 54 ]) causing a lipid rearrangement of the membrane that facilitates the entry of the molecule.…”

“…The efficiency is higher than co-incubation method, but lower than the mechanical-based methods, such as sonication and extrusion [ 26 ]. Another drawback is that these freeze–thaw cycles can induce the aggregation of the EVs and modification of the membrane properties, i.e., protein orientation [ 5 ].…”

“…Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nowadays well known as small vesicles [ 1 ] produced by almost all cell types, ensuring efficient communication among cells throughout the body by transporting lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The presence of cell type-specific molecular signatures in these EVs has highlighted their potential role as biomarkers in a variety of diseases [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Moreover, there is huge interest in applying EVs or synthetic EV mimics in nanomedicine as drug delivery systems [ 4 , 7 ].…”

“…Moreover, there is huge interest in applying EVs or synthetic EV mimics in nanomedicine as drug delivery systems [ 4 , 7 ]. Their surface can be modified with various macromolecules, including peptides, dyes, or stealth polymers for diagnostic purposes; cell tracking; or even for targeting other cells or tissues [ 5 ]. EVs have shown to have a role in the immune system modulation or as promoters of carcinogenicity [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Their surface can be modified with various macromolecules, including peptides, dyes, or stealth polymers for diagnostic purposes; cell tracking; or even for targeting other cells or tissues [ 5 ]. EVs have shown to have a role in the immune system modulation or as promoters of carcinogenicity [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 ]. They have been recently shown to coat both organic and inorganic nanoparticles, thus producing novel biomimetic hybrids [ 6 , 9 ].…”