Engineering exosomes for targeted drug delivery

Engineering exosomes for targeted drug delivery

2021.11(7): 3183-3195. doi: 10.7150/thno.52570 | Yujie Liang1,2, Li Duan3, Jianping Lu1,2,3, Jiang Xia2,3
Exosomes, small vesicles released by cells, have emerged as promising vehicles for targeted drug delivery due to their ability to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents to specific cells or tissues. This review discusses the engineering of exosomes through genetic and chemical methods to enhance their therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Exosomes can be modified genetically by fusing targeting ligands with exosomal membrane proteins, or chemically by conjugating targeting moieties to the exosome surface. These modifications improve the selectivity and efficiency of drug delivery to target cells, making exosomes a versatile platform for cell-free therapies. The review also highlights the potential of exosomes in imaging, diagnosis, and combination therapies, emphasizing their role in advancing personalized medicine. Despite the challenges in maintaining exosome stability and optimizing their cellular entry pathways, the potential of exosome-based therapies is significant, particularly in treating diseases with hard-to-reach tissues.Exosomes, small vesicles released by cells, have emerged as promising vehicles for targeted drug delivery due to their ability to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents to specific cells or tissues. This review discusses the engineering of exosomes through genetic and chemical methods to enhance their therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Exosomes can be modified genetically by fusing targeting ligands with exosomal membrane proteins, or chemically by conjugating targeting moieties to the exosome surface. These modifications improve the selectivity and efficiency of drug delivery to target cells, making exosomes a versatile platform for cell-free therapies. The review also highlights the potential of exosomes in imaging, diagnosis, and combination therapies, emphasizing their role in advancing personalized medicine. Despite the challenges in maintaining exosome stability and optimizing their cellular entry pathways, the potential of exosome-based therapies is significant, particularly in treating diseases with hard-to-reach tissues.
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