Potential of Exosomes as Multifunctional Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract

Exosomes are small vesicles that form when multivesicular bodies fuse with the plasma membrane and are released into body fluids. They play a vital role in facilitating communication between cells by transferring different biomolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids, over both short and long distances. They also function as vital mediators in both states of health and disease, exerting an impact on several physiological processes. Exosomes have been modified to overcome the limitations of natural exosomes to enhance their potential as carriers for drug delivery systems, and these modifications aim to improve the drug delivery efficiency, enhance tissue and organ targeting, and prolong the circulating half-life of exosomes. This review discussed recent advancements in exosome nanotechnology, as well as the progression and use of exosomes for drug delivery. The potential commercialisation and challenges associated with the use of exosome-based drug delivery systems were also discussed, aiming to motivate the development of exosome-based theranostic nanoplatforms and nanotechnology for improved healthcare treatments.