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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Exosome-like Systems: From Therapies to Vaccination for Cancer Treatment and Prevention-Exploring the State of the
Hamid Heydari Sheikhhossein1,2, Francesca Iommelli3, Natalia Di Pietro1,4
1Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
Abstract:
Cancer remains one of the main causes of death in the world due to its increasing incidence and treatment difficulties. Although significant progress has been made in this field, innovative approaches are needed to reduce tumor incidence, progression, and spread. In particular, the development of cancer vaccines is currently ongoing as both a preventive and therapeutic strategy. This concept is not new, but few vaccines have been approved in oncology. Antigen-based vaccination emerges as a promising strategy, leveraging specific tumor antigens to activate the immune system response. However, challenges persist in finding suitable delivery systems and antigen preparation methods. Exosomes (EXs) are highly heterogeneous bilayer vesicles that carry several molecule types in the extracellular space. The peculiarity is that they may be released from different cells and may be able to induce direct or indirect stimulation of the immune system. In particular, EX-based vaccines may cause an anti-tumor immune attack or produce memory cells recognizing cancer antigens and inhibiting disease development. This review delves into EX composition, biogenesis, and immune-modulating properties, exploring their role as a tool for prevention and therapy in solid tumors. Finally, we describe future research directions to optimize vaccine efficacy and realize the full potential of EX-based cancer immunotherapy.
Insights
Exosomes (EXs) show promise as cancer vaccines by stimulating immune responses against tumors. This review explores their potential for cancer prevention and therapy, highlighting future research directions for enhanced efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer is a leading global cause of death with increasing incidence and treatment challenges.
- Innovative strategies are crucial for reducing cancer incidence, progression, and spread.
- Antigen-based cancer vaccines are a promising preventive and therapeutic approach, but face delivery and preparation hurdles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the composition, biogenesis, and immune-modulating properties of exosomes (EXs).
- To explore the role of EXs as a tool for prevention and therapy in solid tumors.
- To identify future research directions for optimizing EX-based cancer vaccine efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on exosome biology and cancer immunotherapy.
- Analysis of exosome composition, biogenesis, and immune-stimulating capabilities.
- Exploration of exosome applications in preclinical and clinical cancer research.
Main Results:
- Exosomes are versatile extracellular vesicles with inherent immune-stimulating properties.
- EX-based vaccines can elicit anti-tumor immune responses and generate cancer-specific memory cells.
- Exosomes offer a novel platform for antigen delivery and immune activation in cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes represent a promising strategy for developing novel cancer vaccines.
- Further research is needed to optimize exosome production, loading, and delivery for therapeutic applications.
- EX-based immunotherapy holds significant potential for preventing and treating solid tumors.
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