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Review
. 2024 May 23;15(1):181.
doi: 10.1007/s12672-024-01007-y.

Extracellular vesicle-mediated drug delivery in breast cancer theranostics

Toufik Abdul-Rahman  1 , Poulami Roy  2 , Ranferi Eduardo Herrera-Calderón  3 , Feriha Fatima Khidri  4 , Quadri Ajibola Omotesho  5 , Tolulope Sharon Rumide  6 , Mahek Fatima  7 , Sakshi Roy  8 , Andrew Awuah Wireko  9 , Oday Atallah  10 , Subham Roy  11 , Felix Amekpor  12 , Shankhaneel Ghosh  13 , Isaac Aksavdwa Agyigra  14 , Viktoriia Horbas  9 , Tetiana Teslyk  9 , Valentyna Bumeister  9 , Marios Papadakis  15 , Athanasios Alexiou  16   17   18   19
Affiliations
Review

Extracellular vesicle-mediated drug delivery in breast cancer theranostics

Toufik Abdul-Rahman et al. Discov Oncol. .

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be a significant global challenge due to drug resistance and severe side effects. The increasing prevalence is alarming, requiring new therapeutic approaches to address these challenges. At this point, Extracellular vesicles (EVs), specifically small endosome-released nanometer-sized EVs (SEVs) or exosomes, have been explored by literature as potential theranostics. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the therapeutic potential of exosomes in BC, focusing on their advantages in drug delivery and their ability to mitigate metastasis. Following the review, we identified exosomes' potential in combination therapies, serving as miRNA carriers and contributing to improved anti-tumor effects. This is evident in clinical trials investigating exosomes in BC, which have shown their ability to boost chemotherapy efficacy by delivering drugs like paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOX). However, the translation of EVs into BC therapy is hindered by various challenges. These challenges include the heterogeneity of EVs, the selection of the appropriate parent cell, the loading procedures, and determining the optimal administration routes. Despite the promising therapeutic potential of EVs, these obstacles must be addressed to realize their benefits in BC treatment.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Extracellular vesicles; Theranostics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors wish to declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Structure and Types of Extracellular Vesicles. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound structures secreted by cells into the extracellular space. They encompass microvesicles, exosomes, and apoptotic bodies, each distinguished by their origin, size, and cargo, comprising lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins from various cellular compartments
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Liquid Biopsy in Breast Cancer. Liquid biopsy in breast cancer reveals miRNA profiles in exosomes, aiding in recurrence risk assessment and early detection strategies. Exosome-derived miRNA profiling distinguishes breast cancer recurrence risks
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Illustration of Delivery of Anticancer Drugs for Treatment of Breast Cancer. This figure depicts the delivery of anticancer drugs for breast cancer treatment. Exosomes, nanovesicles secreted by cells, efficiently transport drugs actively or passively loaded within their cargo. Labeling of extracellular vesicles enables their tracking in systemic circulation and targeted delivery to specific tissues
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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