Exosomes are tiny, membrane-bound vesicles that originate within the cell’s endosomal compartment. Although they offer significant advantages as drug carriers, particularly in cancer therapy, there are a few challenges associated with the use of exosomes as carriers.
Advantages of exosomes as carriers include:
Low immunogenicity: Exosomes are less likely to trigger an immune response, making them safer as carriers for therapeutic agents.
High stability: Exosomes have a better-tolerated and longer circulating half-life, protecting the therapeutic cargo from premature degradation in the body.
Innate and acquired targetability: Exosomes can be naturally or artificially modified to enhance their effectiveness as carriers and targeted transport, and the stimulation of anti-cancer immune response.
Easier penetration: Due to their small size and specific surface molecules, exosomes can easily penetrate cell membranes and cross biological barriers, delivering therapeutic agents such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small-molecule drugs directly into cells.