Exosomes as versatile nanoscaled biocompartments in cancer therapy and/or resistance

Abstract

Summary Cancer remains to be a major hurdle to global health. Exosomes as a versatile bio-derived platform, hold a bright prospect in nano-scaled delivery/targeting strategies. Shreds of evidence indicate that exosomes have a critical role in drug resistance in cancer cells through various mechanisms including shuttling of miRNAs, drug efflux transporters, and anti-apoptotic signaling. Exosomes’ cargo, particularly miRNAs, may exert both resistance and in a few cases sensitivity to the anticancer agents in targeted cells. Therefore, the source and components of the exosomes should be carefully considered before any application. Our aim in this editorial is to further highlight the role of exosomes in the development of resistance to therapy in cancer cells. As a new chapter for drug delivery, the challenges should be elucidated before exosomes emerge as novel nanoplatforms for cancer therapy.