Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes in breast cancer. False hope or a real solution?

Worldwide, breast cancer has the highest incidence and death rates among all cancers affecting women. Despite significant advancements in cancer therapeutics over the past few decades, patients and clinicians remain concerned about side effects stemming from the non-specific targeting of conventional chemotherapy and its low effectiveness in cases of drug resistance. Recently, exosomes isolated from mesenchymal stem cells, particularly those harvested from human umbilical cord, have garnered significant attention for the treatment of breast cancer. Their high biological compatibility, low immunogenicity, capacity to traverse physiological and anatomical barriers, and natural homing properties make them ideal for transporting therapeutic payloads, including conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, microRNAs, and low-molecular-weight bioactive compounds. By simultaneously targeting multiple signaling pathways, they can prevent tumor growth and progression while helping overcome tumor cells' resistance to many conventional treatment modalities. This review highlights current knowledge and emerging prospects of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord tissue for cancer treatment, presenting new opportunities for targeted breast cancer treatment while also noting limitations.