Extracellular vesicles with high dual drug loading for safe and efficient combination chemo-phototherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as biocompatible nanocarriers for efficient delivery of various therapeutic agents, with intrinsic long-term blood circulatory capability and low immunogenicity. Here, indocyanine green (ICG)- and paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded EVs [EV(ICG/PTX)] were developed as a biocompatible nanoplatform for safe and efficient cancer treatment through near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered combination chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy. High dual drug encapsulation in EVs was achieved for both the hydrophilic ICG and hydrophobic PTX by simple incubation. The EVs substantially improved the photostability and cellular internalization of ICG, thereby augmenting the photothermal effects and reactive oxygen species production in breast cancer cells upon NIR light irradiation. Hence, ICG-loaded EVs activated by NIR light irradiation showed greater cytotoxic effects than free ICG. EV(ICG/PTX) showed the highest anticancer activity owing to the simultaneous chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy when compared with EV(ICG) and free ICG. In vivo study revealed that EV(ICG/PTX) had higher accumulation in tumors and improved pharmacokinetics compared to free ICG and PTX. In addition, a single intravenous administration of EV(ICG/PTX) exhibited a considerable inhibition of tumor proliferation with negligible systemic toxicity. Thus, this study demonstrates the potential of EV(ICG/PTX) for clinical translation of combination chemo-phototherapy.