Target therapeutic exploitation of engineered exosome-mediated delivery of ncRNAs in cancer
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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Fatemeh Chaharlang1, Nafiseh Mahdipour2, Sana Alizadeh Rami3
1Cellular-Molecular Division, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract:
Non-coding RNAs, as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, are significant modulators of tumor biology and gene expression. miRNAs primarily regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, whereas lncRNAs influence transcriptional activity and epigenetic states. Moreover, circRNAs function as highly stable molecules that shape oncogenic pathways by sequestering miRNAs and interacting with RNA-binding proteins. By addressing these regulatory roles, ncRNAs have emerged as attractive candidates for therapeutic intervention, yet their clinical translation remains limited by rapid degradation, insufficient cellular uptake, and off-target effects. Engineered exosomes-natural nanosized vesicles with strong biocompatibility and barrier-crossing capacity-represent a promising platform to overcome these delivery challenges. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in exosome engineering for cancer-directed ncRNA delivery. We summarize state-of-the-art strategies designed to enhance loading efficiency, targeting specificity, and therapeutic performance of exosome-mediated delivery systems for miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, and outline their growing potential in next-generation cancer therapy.
Insights
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key in cancer, but face delivery challenges. Engineered exosomes offer a promising solution for targeted ncRNA cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and tumor biology.
- ncRNAs influence gene expression at multiple levels, from post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs to transcriptional and epigenetic modulation by lncRNAs, and pathway shaping by circRNAs.
- Despite their therapeutic potential in oncology, the clinical application of ncRNAs is hindered by issues like degradation, poor cellular uptake, and off-target effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of engineered exosomes for delivering non-coding RNAs in cancer therapy.
- To summarize current strategies for enhancing exosome-mediated delivery of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs.
- To highlight the potential of exosome-based ncRNA delivery systems in advancing cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on exosome engineering and ncRNA delivery.
- Analysis of strategies to improve exosome loading efficiency and targeting specificity.
- Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of exosome-mediated ncRNA delivery in preclinical cancer models.
Main Results:
- Exosomes, due to their biocompatibility and cell-penetrating abilities, are effective carriers for ncRNAs.
- Engineered exosomes demonstrate enhanced loading, targeted delivery, and improved therapeutic outcomes for various ncRNAs.
- State-of-the-art engineering techniques are being developed to optimize exosome-based ncRNA delivery systems.
Conclusions:
- Engineered exosomes represent a viable platform to overcome the delivery limitations of ncRNAs in cancer therapy.
- Optimized exosome-mediated delivery of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs shows significant promise for next-generation cancer treatments.
- Further research into exosome engineering holds potential for developing more effective and targeted ncRNA-based cancer therapeutics.
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