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Review
. 2024 Jun;21(4):513-527.
doi: 10.1007/s13770-024-00634-4. Epub 2024 Apr 10.

Unlocking the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles as the Next Generation Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities

Syahidatulamali Che Shaffi  1 , Omar Nafiis Hairuddin  1 , Siti Farizan Mansor  1   2 , Tengku Muhamad Faris Syafiq  3 , Badrul Hisham Yahaya  4
Affiliations
Review

Unlocking the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles as the Next Generation Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities

Syahidatulamali Che Shaffi et al. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have undergone extensive investigation for their potential therapeutic applications, primarily attributed to their paracrine activity. Recently, researchers have been exploring the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by MSCs.

Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed and Google scholar databases were used for the selection of literature. The keywords used were mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular vesicles, clinical application of EVs and challenges EVs production.

Results: These EVs have demonstrated robust capabilities in transporting intracellular cargo, playing a critical role in facilitating cell-to-cell communication by carrying functional molecules, including proteins, RNA species, DNAs, and lipids. Utilizing EVs as an alternative to stem cells offers several benefits, such as improved safety, reduced immunogenicity, and the ability to traverse biological barriers. Consequently, EVs have emerged as an increasingly attractive option for clinical use.

Conclusion: From this perspective, this review delves into the advantages and challenges associated with employing MSC-EVs in clinical settings, with a specific focus on their potential in treating conditions like lung diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

Keywords: Clinical application; Extracellular vesicle; Mesenchymal stem cell; Stem cell therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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