Recent Advances in Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Nanoparticles for Cancer Drug Delivery

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have emerged as a highly promising and disruptive class of natural nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of PDEVs, positioning them within the broader landscape of nanomedicine through a direct comparison with conventional synthetic nanoparticles (eg, liposomes) and mammalian cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). We highlight how the unique origin of PDEVs confers significant advantages, including superior natural biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and the remarkable "dual-functionality" of acting as both inherent therapeutic agents and efficient drug carriers. The capacity of PDEVs to efficiently encapsulate a diverse range of therapeutic agents-from chemotherapeutic drugs and RNA interference molecules to gene-editing tools-is discussed in contrast to the more limited loading versatility and complex manufacturing of some alternative systems. The review systematically covers recent advances in PDEV isolation, characterization, and drug-loading techniques, emphasizing their demonstrated ability to cross biological barriers for targeted therapy and controlled release. Finally, we critically address the translational pathway, outlining key challenges in standardization and clinical translation, while forecasting their pivotal role in advancing personalized cancer nanomedicine. Through this comparative and functional perspective, PDEVs are poised to transition from a promising biological curiosity to a cornerstone of next-generation anticancer strategies.