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Harnessing Extracellular Vesicles for Targeted Drug Delivery in Ovarian Cancer
Jang-Hyuk Yun1, Yoo Rim Noh2,3, Seongkyeong Yoo2,3
1College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis, high recurrence rates, and the development of chemoresistance. Although targeted therapies have improved patient outcomes, their efficacy is often limited by off-target toxicity and acquired drug resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale vesicles naturally released by cells, have emerged as promising carriers for precision drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in EV-based therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer, including the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, nucleic acid therapeutics, and immunomodulatory molecules. We further explore innovative engineering approaches to enhance targeting specificity, such as surface modification, cell source selection, biomaterial integration, and magnetic nanoparticle-assisted delivery. Key translational challenges in bringing EV-based therapies to clinical application are also addressed. Collectively, these insights underscore the transformative potential of EV-based platforms in advancing targeted and personalized treatment for ovarian cancer.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer a promising new approach for ovarian cancer treatment by delivering therapies directly to cancer cells. Engineering EVs enhances their precision, overcoming challenges in targeted drug delivery for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths, often diagnosed late with high recurrence and chemoresistance.
- Current targeted therapies face limitations due to off-target toxicity and acquired drug resistance.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural nanoscale carriers with potential for precision drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in EV-based therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.
- To explore innovative engineering methods for enhancing EV targeting specificity.
- To address translational challenges for clinical application of EV therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on EV-based drug delivery for ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of engineering approaches including surface modification, cell source selection, biomaterial integration, and magnetic nanoparticle assistance.
- Discussion of therapeutic payloads: chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid therapeutics, and immunomodulatory molecules.
Main Results:
- EVs show potential for delivering various therapeutic agents to ovarian cancer cells.
- Engineered EVs demonstrate enhanced targeting specificity through multiple innovative approaches.
- Significant progress has been made in developing EV-based platforms for ovarian cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- EV-based platforms hold transformative potential for targeted and personalized ovarian cancer therapy.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome translational challenges for clinical use.
- EVs represent a promising frontier in overcoming chemoresistance and improving treatment efficacy.
