Exosome-Based Smart Drug Delivery Tool for Cancer Theranostics

ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2023 Feb 13;9(2):577-594. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01329. Epub 2023 Jan 9.

Abstract

Exosomes are the phospholipid-membrane-bound subpopulation of extracellular vesicles derived from the plasma membrane. The main activity of exosomes is cellular communication. In cancer, exosomes play an important rolefrom two distinct perspectives, one related to carcinogenesis and the other as theragnostic and drug delivery tools. The outer phospholipid membrane of Exosome improves drug targeting efficiency. . Some of the vital features of exosomes such as biocompatibility, low toxicity, and low immunogenicity make it a more exciting drug delivery system. Exosome-based drug delivery is a new innovative approach to cancer treatment. Exosome-associated biomarker analysis heralded a new era of cancer diagnostics in a more specific way. This Review focuses on exosome biogenesis, sources, isolation, interrelationship with cancer and exosome-related cancer biomarkers, drug loading methods, exosome-based biomolecule delivery, advances and limitations of exosome-based drug delivery, and exosome-based drug delivery in clinical settings studies. The exosome-based understanding of cancer will change the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the future.

Keywords: Eexosomes; cancer; cancer biomarker; drug delivery; drug loading methods.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Phospholipids / metabolism
  • Phospholipids / therapeutic use
  • Precision Medicine

Substances

  • Phospholipids