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Updated: Aug 12, 2025
Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Adriamycin-loaded exosome with anti-CD20 aptamers selectively suppresses human CD20+ melanoma stem cells
Hairong Chen1, Yuxia Jiang2, Xia Li3
1Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Background:
Targeting CD20+ melanoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) subset is essential for treating melanoma. Anti-CD20 aptamer-modified exosomes (ACEXO) loaded with Adriamycin could be a therapeutic strategy for targeting CSCs.
Materials And Methods:
Exosomes loaded with Adriamycin were modified with anti-CD20 aptamer and characterized by size and molecular markers using transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. The uptake of ACEXO into CD20+ cells was checked, and its cytotoxicities in CD20+ melanoma cells, HEK 293T, and 3T3 cells were evaluated. At the same time, the in vivo distribution of ACEXO in the tumor-bearing mice model was determined.
Results:
The particle size of the exosome is about 80-100 nm. Western blot analysis showed that they expressed the characteristic exosome markers: CD9 and CD63. Quantitative analysis of the mean fluorescence intensity after 4 h incubation showed that ACEXO significantly improved Adriamycin uptake. Notably, the ACEXO killed only CD20+ melanoma cells. In addition, they exhibited good biocompatibility with both 293T and 3T3 cells at all doses. After intravenous injection, exosome distribution data showed that ACEXO's accumulation in the tumor is higher than anti-CD20-modified exosomes (AEXO)'s at all time points, and the accumulation increased as time prolonged. Addition of ACEXO reduces the number of tumorspheres in A375 or WM266-4 cells compared to untreated controls or AEXO-treated group. More important, while treating melanoma tumor-bearing mice, ACEXO-treated group showed the lowest tumor weight without body weight loss.
Conclusion:
ACEXO loaded with Adriamycin could suppress tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo, probably by targeting CD20+ melanoma CSCs.
Insights
Anti-CD20 aptamer-modified exosomes (ACEXO) loaded with Adriamycin effectively target and kill CD20+ melanoma cancer stem cells. This novel therapy shows reduced tumor growth and good biocompatibility in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanomedicine
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Targeting CD20+ melanoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) is crucial for effective melanoma treatment.
- Anti-CD20 aptamer-modified exosomes (ACEXO) loaded with Adriamycin present a potential therapeutic strategy for CSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate Adriamycin-loaded ACEXO for targeted melanoma therapy.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety of ACEXO.
Main Methods:
- Exosomes were modified with anti-CD20 aptamer and Adriamycin, then characterized.
- Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in CD20+ melanoma cells and control cell lines were evaluated.
- In vivo biodistribution and anti-tumor effects in tumor-bearing mice were assessed.
Main Results:
- ACEXO demonstrated optimal size (80-100 nm) and exosomal marker expression (CD9, CD63).
- ACEXO significantly enhanced Adriamycin uptake in CD20+ cells and selectively killed CD20+ melanoma cells with good biocompatibility.
- ACEXO showed increased tumor accumulation in vivo, reduced tumorsphere formation, and suppressed tumor growth without causing body weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Adriamycin-loaded ACEXO effectively suppresses melanoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.
- ACEXO likely functions by targeting CD20+ melanoma CSCs, offering a promising therapeutic approach.
