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Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Engineering Exosomes for Cancer Therapy
Katie E Gilligan1, Róisín M Dwyer2
1Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway H91 YR71, Ireland. K.GILLIGAN3@nuigalway.ie.
Abstract:
There remains an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies to treat metastatic cancer, which results in over 8 million deaths annually worldwide. Following secretion, exosomes are naturally taken up by cells, and capable of the stable transfer of drugs, therapeutic microRNAs and proteins. As knowledge of the biogenesis, release and uptake of exosomes continues to evolve, and thus also has interest in these extracellular vesicles as potential tumor-targeted vehicles for cancer therapy. The ability to engineer exosome content and migratory itinerary holds tremendous promise. Studies to date have employed viral and non-viral methods to engineer the parent cells to secrete modified exosomes, or alternatively, to directly manipulate exosome content following secretion. The majority of studies have demonstrated promising results, with decreased tumor cell invasion, migration and proliferation, along with enhanced immune response, cell death, and sensitivity to chemotherapy observed. The studies outlined in this review highlight the exciting potential for exosomes as therapeutic vehicles for cancer treatment. Successful implementation in the clinical setting will be dependent upon establishment of rigorous standards for exosome manipulation, isolation, and characterisation.
Insights
Exosomes, tiny vesicles secreted by cells, show promise as cancer therapeutics. Engineering these extracellular vesicles can target tumors, reduce cancer spread, and enhance treatment efficacy, offering new hope for metastatic cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metastatic cancer causes millions of deaths annually, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Exosomes are natural intercellular vesicles capable of stable drug and biomolecule transfer.
- Exosomes are gaining interest as potential tumor-targeted delivery vehicles for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of exosomes as therapeutic vehicles for metastatic cancer.
- To explore methods for engineering exosome content and targeting capabilities.
- To summarize promising preclinical results of exosome-based cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Engineering parent cells (viral/non-viral) to produce modified exosomes.
- Direct manipulation of exosome content post-secretion.
- Review of studies demonstrating exosome efficacy in preclinical cancer models.
Main Results:
- Engineered exosomes demonstrated decreased tumor cell invasion, migration, and proliferation.
- Enhanced anti-tumor immune responses were observed with exosome treatment.
- Increased cancer cell death and sensitivity to chemotherapy were reported.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes hold significant promise as versatile therapeutic vehicles for cancer treatment.
- Engineering exosomes offers a powerful strategy for developing targeted cancer therapies.
- Clinical translation requires standardized methods for exosome manipulation, isolation, and characterization.
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