Advances in extracellular Vesicle-based cancer precision medicine

Hema Saranya Ilamathi1, Gina Rinaldo1, Oscar Pb Wiklander1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit for Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Breast Center, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska ATMP Center, ANA Futura, Huddinge, Sweden.

Cancer Letters
|August 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show promise for targeted cancer therapy by delivering drugs. Engineering EVs to target tumor microenvironment antigens offers a multi-pronged approach to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Cancer precision medicine is rapidly advancing.
  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural nanoparticles crucial for intercellular communication.
  • EVs possess inherent drug-transporting capabilities and targeting potential for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review tumor microenvironment-associated antigens for cancer therapy.
  • To explore the engineering of EVs for multi-armed cancer treatment strategies.
  • To discuss the potential of EVs in targeted oncotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical and clinical trial data on tumor microenvironment-associated antigens.
  • Discussion of EV engineering techniques for targeted delivery.
  • Analysis of EVs as drug delivery vehicles in cancer treatment.

Main Results:

  • Tumor microenvironment antigens present viable targets for cancer therapy.
  • EVs can be engineered to target specific antigens.
  • Multi-armed therapy using engineered EVs shows promise.

Conclusions:

  • EVs offer a promising platform for targeted cancer drug delivery.
  • Targeting the tumor microenvironment alongside cancer antigens can improve therapeutic outcomes.
  • Engineered EVs represent a novel strategy for advanced cancer treatment.

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