Bioengineering of Extracellular Vesicles: Exosome-Based Next-Generation Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer

Abstract

Extracellular nano vesicles and exosomes hold compelling evidence in intercellular communication. Exosomal intracellular signal transduction is mediated by the transfer of cargo proteins, lipids, micro (mi)RNAs, long noncoding (lnc)RNAs, small interfering (si)RNAs, DNA, and other functional molecules that play a pivotal role in regulating tumor growth and metastasis. However, emerging research trends indicate that exosomes may be used as a promising tool in anticancer treatment. This review features a majority of the bioengineering applications of fabricated exosomal cargoes. It also encompasses how the manipulation and delivery of specific cargoes—noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), recombinant proteins, immune-modulators, chemotherapeutic drugs, and other small molecules—may serve as a precise therapeutic approach in cancer management.

Keywords

• exosome
• bioengineering
• immunotherapy
• exosomal cargo delivery
• recombinant proteins
• ncRNA