Exosomes as Therapeutic Vehicles for Cancer
10.1007/s13770-019-00190-2
- Author:
Whasun LIM
1
;
Han Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 25601, Republic of Korea. hankim63@gmail.com, wlim@kookmin.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Exosomes;
Drug delivery;
Cancer;
Extracellular vesicles;
Target specificity
- MeSH:
Amniotic Fluid;
Biology;
Biomarkers;
Biopsy;
Cells, Cultured;
Culture Media, Conditioned;
Diagnosis;
Disease Models, Animal;
Disease Progression;
Drug Delivery Systems;
Exosomes;
Extracellular Vesicles;
Female;
Models, Animal;
Prognosis;
Regeneration;
RNA, Messenger;
RNA, Untranslated;
Saliva;
Semen;
Sensitivity and Specificity
- From:
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
2019;16(3):213-223
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Exosomes are membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles implicated in cell-cell communication. Exosomes contain proteins, mRNAs, non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) and lipids that are derived from producing cells. These nano-sized vesicles are present in biofluids including blood, urine, saliva, amniotic fluid, semen and conditioned media of cultured cells. METHODS: This review summarizes current progress on the strategies of development of diagnostic biomarkers and drug loading onto exosomes for overcoming cancer progression. RESULTS: A number of studies indicate that the exosome appears to be a key player in tissue repair and regeneration of in a number of animal disease models. In addition, alterations of the molecular profiles in exosomes are known to be correlated with the disease progression including cancer, suggesting their usefulness in disease diagnosis and prognosis. Studies utilizing engineered exosomes either by chemical or biological methods have demonstrated promising results in a number of animal models with cancer. CONCLUSION: Understanding the molecular and cellular properties of exosomes offer benefits for cancer diagnosis by liquid biopsy and for their application in therapeutic drug delivery systems. Studies have shown that genetic or molecular engineering of exosomes augmented their target specificity and anticancer activity with less toxicity. Thus, deeper understanding of exosome biology will facilitate their therapeutic potential as an innovative drug delivery system for cancer.
