Natural extracellular nanovesicles and photodynamic molecules: is there a future for drug delivery?

Abstract

Photodynamic molecules represent an alternative approach for cancer therapy for their property (i) to be photo-reactive; (ii) to be not-toxic for target cells in absence of light; (iii) to accumulate specifically into tumour tissues; (iv) to be activable by a light beam only at the tumour site and (v) to exert cytotoxic activity against tumour cells. However, to date their clinical use is limited by the side effects elicited by systemic administration. Extracellular vesicles are endogenous nanosized-carriers that have been recently introduced as a natural delivery system for therapeutic molecules. We have recently shown the ability of human exosomes to deliver photodynamic molecules. Therefore, this review focussed on extracellular vesicles as a novel strategy for the delivery of photodynamic molecules at cancer sites. This completely new approach may enhance the delivery and decrease the toxicity of photodynamic molecules, therefore, represent the future for photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment.

Exosomes: A Paradigm in Drug Development against Cancer and Infectious Diseases

“…Recent studies have shown that most of the circulating microRNAs detectable serum and saliva are concentrated in tumor-derived exosomes [152]. Extensive studies have shown that tumor-derived exosomes from either tumor cells or extracellular fluids of cancer patients can be used as biomarkers because they have a unique molecular signature on their biocontents (proteins, DNA/RNA molecules) [153][154][155]. A list of exosomes isolated from biofluids of cancer patients used as biomarkers were prepared with details in previous studies [33,40].…”

Plasmatic exosomes from prostate cancer patients show increased carbonic anhydrase IX expression and activity and low pH

“…Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles of 40-180 nm secreted by all cells and capable of modulating physiological or pathological processes, including tumour progression, through transmitting into target cells their cargo (lipids, proteins, DNA, mRNA or microRNA) [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . Exosomes are involved in a broad panel of cellular phenomena, including intercellular communication, elimination of toxic substances and drug delivery 14,18,25,26 . The acid release of the exosomes is key in tumour growth, tumour progression and metastasis 18,24,27 .…”

A New and Integral Approach to the Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of Breast Cancer based upon its Hydrogen Ion Dynamics

“…f) pH, tumor growth and invadopodia [61,63]. g) pH, cancer growth and the metastatic process [63][64][65][66][67][68].…”