Extracellular Vesicles: A Conduit for Nanomaterial to Travel into Solid Tumors

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Nanomedicine delivery into solid tumors is hindered by inefficient transport across multilayered cells.
• Transcellular transport and intercellular exchange of nanoparticles (NPs) are crucial but poorly understood mechanisms for tumor penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review progress in understanding NP transport across multilayered cells.
• To investigate the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in NP intercellular exchange and tumor delivery.
• To explore strategies for regulating the EV pathway to enhance nanomedicine delivery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of NP transport mechanisms across multilayered cells.
• Experimental studies investigating NP transfer via EVs in vitro.
• In vivo studies assessing EV-mediated NP delivery into solid tumors.
• Analysis of chemical regulation strategies for the EV pathway.

Main Results:

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were identified as a novel mechanism for NP transfer between cells.
• EVs facilitate NP delivery into solid tumors in vivo.
• Chemical modulation of the EV pathway can enhance NP delivery efficiency.

Conclusions:

• EVs play a critical role in nanoparticle delivery for nanomedicine applications.
• Targeting and regulating the EV machinery offers a promising strategy to improve nanomedicine efficacy in solid tumors.
• Further research into EV-mediated transport can overcome current nanomedicine delivery limitations.