Extracellular vesicles as delivery systems at nano-/micro-scale

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown significant promises as nano-/micro-size carriers in drug delivery and bioimaging. With more characteristics of EVs explored through tremendous research efforts, their unmatched physicochemical properties, biological features, and mechanical aspects make them unique vehicles, owning exceptional pharmacokinetics, circulatory metabolism and biodistribution pattern when delivering theranostic cargoes. In this review we firstly analyzed pros and cons of the EVs as a delivery platform. Secondly, compared to engineered nanoparticle delivery systems, such as biocompatible di-block co-polymers, rational design to improve EVs (exosomes in particular) were elaborated. Lastly, different pharmaceutical loading approaches into EVs were compared, reaching a conclusion on how to construct a clinically available and effective nano-/micro-carrier for a satisfactory medical mission. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown significant promises as nano-/micro-size carriers in drug delivery and bioimaging, possessing unique physicochemical properties, biological features, and mechanical aspects. This review analyzes the pros and cons of EVs as a delivery platform, elaborates on rational design improvements, and compares pharmaceutical loading approaches, aiming to construct a clinically available and effective nano-/micro-carrier.