Exosomes as drug delivery vehicle and contributor of resistance to anticancer drugs

Exosomes are small membranous vesicles implicated in intercellular signalling. Through their uncanny ability to carry and deliver donor cellular cargo (biomolecules) to target cells, they exert a profound effect on the regular functioning of healthy cells and play a significant role in pathogenesis and progression of several diseases, including cancer. The composition and number of endogenously circulating exosomes frequently vary, which is often reflective of the pathophysiological status of the cell. Applicability of exosomes derived from normal cells as a drug carrier with or without modifying their intraluminal and surface components are generally tested. Conversely, exosomes also are reported to contribute to resistance towards several anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the role of exosomes in cancer progression and resistance and the potential use of exosomes as delivery vehicle of cancer therapeutics.

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center discuss the recent advancements in the exploitation of exosomes as a drug delivery vehicle. They also discuss the role of exosomes in conferring resistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. It is to be noted that while the present article provides information about the characteristics, composition and outcome of exosome-mediated therapeutics in cancer, the role of exosome in resistance and exosome-based drug delivery is also applicable to other human diseases.

Method of loading therapeutics in exosome