Extracellular vesicles and their therapeutic applications: a review article (part 2).

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a fascinating area of research in molecular biology, with diverse therapeutic applications. These small membrane-bound structures, released by cells into the extracellular space, play a crucial role in intercellular communication and hold great potential for advancing medical treatments. The aim of this study is to have a narrative review on the use and therapeutic applications of EVs. Their unique characteristics, including stability, biocompatibility, and the ability to traverse biological barriers, make them promising tools for targeted drug delivery. By engineering EVs to encapsulate specific cargo molecules, such as therapeutic proteins, small interfering RNA (siRNA), or anti-cancer drugs, researchers can enhance drug stability and improve targeted delivery to desired cells or tissues. This approach can minimize off-target effects and improve therapeutic efficacy. Based on our literature search, we found that EVs can be used as biomarkers to predict diseases. Although much progress has been made in understanding the biology and function of exosomes, there are still unanswered questions that require further research. This includes identifying appropriate and safe techniques for producing exosomes in large quantities, determining which types of cells are suitable for exosome donor cells for therapeutic purposes, and investigating the safety of exosomes in human studies. Overall, the use of exosomes in clinical therapeutic applications requires a strong understanding of molecular signaling cascades and exosome profiles, as well as the specificity and sensitivity of biomarker and drug delivery methods.