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Scalable Biomanufacturing Workflow to Produce and Isolate Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-Based Cancer Biotherapeutics
Published on: August 16, 2024
Progress of extracellular vesicles-based system for tumor therapy
1MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Nanjing University (Suzhou) High-tech Institute, Renai Road 150, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China.
Abstract:
The increasing number of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths worldwide highlights the urgent need to develop novel anti-tumor treatment methods to alleviate the current challenging situation. Nearly all organisms are capable of secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), and these nano-scale EVs carrying biological molecules play an important role in intercellular communication, further affecting various physiological and pathological processes. Notably, EVs from different sources have differences in their characteristics and functions. Consequently, diverse EVs have been utilized as drug or vaccine delivery carriers for improving anti-tumor treatment due to their good safety, ease of modification and unique properties, and achieved satisfactory results. Meanwhile, the clinical trials of EV-based platform for tumor therapy are also continuously being conducted. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the recent research progress of EV-based tumor treatment methods, including the introduction of main sources and unique functions of EVs, the application of EVs in tumor treatment as well as their prospects and challenges. Additionally, considering the unique advantages of artificial EVs over natural EVs, we also highlighted their characteristics and applications in tumor treatments. We believe that this review will help researchers develop novel EV-based anti-tumor platforms through a bottom-up design and accelerate the development in this field.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show promise for novel anti-tumor treatments. This review explores natural and artificial EVs as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy, highlighting their potential and challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Rising global cancer incidence necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial nano-sized mediators of intercellular communication.
- EVs possess inherent properties making them suitable for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of extracellular vesicle (EV)-based tumor treatment methods.
- To discuss the sources, functions, and applications of EVs in cancer therapy.
- To explore the potential of artificial EVs compared to natural EVs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on EV-based anti-tumor treatments.
- Analysis of EV characteristics, functions, and therapeutic applications.
- Comparison of natural and artificial EVs for tumor treatment.
Main Results:
- Diverse EVs from various sources exhibit unique properties for anti-tumor applications.
- EVs are effective drug and vaccine delivery carriers, showing satisfactory results in preclinical studies.
- Clinical trials for EV-based tumor therapy are ongoing, demonstrating therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- EVs represent a promising platform for developing novel anti-tumor treatments.
- Artificial EVs offer unique advantages over natural EVs for targeted cancer therapy.
- Further research and development are crucial to accelerate the clinical translation of EV-based cancer therapies.
