Extracellular vesicles as an efficient nanoplatform for the delivery of therapeutics

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-derived vesicles that are enriched with RNAs, proteins and other functional molecules. We exploit the unique physical properties of EVs as a promising and advantageous nanoplatform for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and genetic materials. Early successes in the discovery of various disease-related characteristics of EVs have driven a new wave of innovation in developing nanoscale drug-delivery systems (DDSs). Nevertheless, there are several issues that need to be considered during the development of these alternative DDSs, such as standardized isolation and preservation methods, efficient drug encapsulation, mechanisms of drug release and so on. In this mini-review, we summarize the current status and progress of EV-based DDSs as an efficient nanoplatform for therapeutics delivery, followed by a discussion on their challenges and future prospects for clinical translation and applications.

EVs and Bioengineering: From Cellular Products to Engineered Nanomachines

“…For example, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can acquire strong anti-tumor activity after priming with paclitaxel (PTX) because MSCs secrete a high amount of membrane microvesicles that will contain the drug [ 75 ]. Another study reported how melanoma cells can be loaded with survivin T34A and gemcitabine to produce exosomes that carry the drug to treat pancreatic adenocarcinoma [ 76 ]. Doxorubicin and methotrexate have been loaded into tumoral cells and their apoptotic bodies containing the drug have been used to kill tumor cells, with reduced side effects [ 77 ].…”

“…Doxorubicin and methotrexate have been loaded into tumoral cells and their apoptotic bodies containing the drug have been used to kill tumor cells, with reduced side effects [ 77 ]. Cells have been loaded with NPs also— superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been loaded in mesenchymal stem cells to produce charged EVs to treat leukemia [ 76 ], while iron oxide NPs and a photosensitizer have been encapsulated in HUVECs and human macrophages to obtain EVs to treat prostate and cervical cancer, respectively [ 78 , 79 ]. Gene therapy can also be carried out with this approach—for example, mesenchymal stem cells have been loaded with different miRNAs to obtain EVs [ 80 ].…”

Extracellular Vesicles in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…HOC313-LM exosomes transferred oncogenic miR-343-3p and miR-1246 to HOC313-P cells and resulted in increase in cell motility and invasive ability [30] Cisplatin resistant OSCC cell lines (HSC3, SCC9) Parental OSCC (HSC3 and SCC9) EVs released from cisplatin-resistant OSCC cells transmit miR-21 to induce cisplatin resistance of OSCC cells [31] OSCC line (HSC3) Oral keratinocytes (RT7) OSCC derived EGFR-containing EVs were able to transform RT7 cells, effects of which were largely blocked by cetumixab [32] OSCC lines (Ca1 CALH2, SQCC/Y1) Premalignant buccal oral keratinocyte (SVpgC2a)…”

NanoTRAIL‐Oncology: A Strategic Approach in Cancer Research and Therapy

“…Increasing evidence shows that EVs are closely involved in the migration and metastasis of malignant tumors . As lipid membrane‐enclosed nanoparticles, the size of EVs is about 30–1000 nm . Therefore, taking advantage of EVs to deliver TRAIL is a promising way to improve the biological behavior of TRAIL .…”