Exosome-Mediated Strategies for Melanoma Eradication: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Nanomedicine

Background:

• Exosomes are natural nanovesicles with potential for melanoma therapy due to biocompatibility and stability.
• They offer advantages over conventional treatments by overcoming limitations like drug resistance and systemic toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the therapeutic applications of exosomes in melanoma treatment.
• To highlight the potential of exosomes in overcoming challenges associated with current melanoma therapies.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (2015-2024).
• Keywords included "exosomes," "melanoma," and "chemotherapy."
• Studies focused on exosome-based therapeutics for melanoma were included; exosome characterization or non-melanoma studies were excluded.

Main Results:

• Exosome-delivered drugs (siRNA, chemotherapeutics) showed 2.5x greater bioavailability and 60-90% tumor reduction compared to free drugs.
• Surface modifications (e.g., cRGD peptides) enhanced exosome targeting capabilities.
• Exosome-mediated photodynamic therapy increased reactive oxygen species and induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• Exosomes offer a novel approach to melanoma treatment, addressing drug resistance and toxicity.
• Challenges remain in scalability and immunogenicity, requiring standardized protocols.
• Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize exosome-based melanoma therapies.