Engineered extracellular vesicles: an emerging nanomedicine therapeutic platform

Abstract

The intercellular communication role of extracellular vesicles has been widely proved in various organisms. Compelling evidence has illustrated the involvement of these vesicles in both physiological and pathological processes. Various studies indicate that extracellular vesicles surpassed conventional synthetic drug carriers, owing to their abundance in organisms, enhanced targeting ability and low immunogenicity. Therefore, extracellular vesicles have been deemed as potential drug carriers for treatment of various diseases and the related studies increased rapidly. Here, we intend to provide a comprehensive and in-depth review of recent advances in the sources, delivery function, extraction and cargo-loading technologies of extracellular vesicles, as well as the clinical potential in constructing emerging nanomedicine therapeutic platform. In particular, the microfluidic-based isolation and drug-loading technologies, and the treatment of various diseases are highlighted. We also make comparison between extracellular vesicles and other conventional drug carriers and discuss the challenges in developing drug delivery platforms for clinical translation.