Hypoxic regulation of extracellular vesicles: Implications for cancer therapy

Seongkyeong Yoo; Sanga Choi; Iljin Kim; In-San Kim

doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.034

Hypoxic regulation of extracellular vesicles: Implications for cancer therapy

J Control Release. 2023 Nov:363:201-220. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.034. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Authors

Seongkyeong Yoo¹, Sanga Choi¹, Iljin Kim², In-San Kim³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea; Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea.
² Department of Pharmacology and Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea; Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea. Electronic address: ijk@inha.ac.kr.
³ KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea. Electronic address: iskim14@kist.re.kr.

PMID: 37739015
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.034

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication and have been implicated in cancer progression. Hypoxia, a pervasive hallmark of cancer, is known to regulate EV biogenesis and function. Hypoxic EVs contain a specific set of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites, capable of reprogramming the biology and fate of recipient cells. Enhancing the intrinsic therapeutic efficacy of EVs can be achieved by strategically modifying their structure and contents. Moreover, the use of EVs as drug delivery vehicles holds great promise for cancer treatment. However, various hurdles must be overcome to enable their clinical application as cancer therapeutics. In this review, we aim to discuss the current knowledge on the hypoxic regulation of EVs. Additionally, we will describe the underlying mechanisms by which EVs contribute to cancer progression in hypoxia and outline the progress and limitations of hypoxia-related EV therapeutics for cancer.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug delivery; Extracellular vesicles; Hypoxia; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Cell Communication
Drug Delivery Systems
Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
Humans
Hypoxia / metabolism
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Neoplasms* / metabolism