Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles: dual-function platforms for anticancer therapy and drug delivery
Yuan Zuo, Jinying Zhang, Xinxin Wang, Bo Sun, Shuo Tian, Mingsan Miao
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PDELNs) are nanoscale bilayered lipid vesicles secreted by plant cells that encapsulate a range of bioactive cargoes, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These vesicles play a crucial regulatory role in various pathophysiological processes. Owing to their natural origin, high biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity, PDELNs possess inherent advantages for biomedical use. MAIN BODY: They can function not only as intrinsic therapeutic agents but also as targeted drug delivery systems, allowing precise homing to disease sites and delivering combined therapeutic and carrier capabilities. This dual functionality enhances tumor-specific targeting and improves tissue penetration. PDELNs presents a versatile and integrated platform for cancer therapy, merging inherent therapeutic properties with intelligent delivery capabilities. This system demonstrates significant potential to overcome major limitations associated with conventional chemotherapy and existing nanomedicines. Given these multifaceted benefits, PDELNs have attracted growing interest as promising candidates for a wide range of biomedical applications. Herein, we systematically review and analyze recent literature on the applications of PDELNs in tumor therapy. This comprehensive overview encompasses the classification, biogenesis pathways, isolation and extraction methods, and therapeutic advantages of PDELNs, with a particular focus on its applications in oncology and its emerging role as a novel drug delivery system for cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This review aims to provide valuable insights and references to further advance the utilization of PDELNs in the management of neoplastic diseases.