Overcoming drug resistance through extracellular vesicle-based drug delivery system in cancer treatment
Long Tai Zheng, R. S. F. Chang, B. Liang, Yitong Wang, Yushan Zhu, Zijing Jia, Jindian Fan, Zhe Zhang, Bo Du, Dexin Kong
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy that often leads to treatment failure and disease relapse. Despite advancements in chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies, cancers often develop drug resistance, making these treatments ineffective. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention for their potential applications in drug delivery because of their natural origin, biocompatibility, and ability to cross biological barriers. Using the unique properties of EVs could enhance drug accumulation at target sites, minimize systemic toxicity, and precisely target specific cells. Here, we discuss the characteristics and functionalization of EVs, the mechanisms of drug resistance, and the applications of engineered EVs to overcome drug resistance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in EV-based drug delivery systems and their applications in overcoming cancer drug resistance. We highlight the potential of EV-based drug delivery systems to revolutionize cancer therapy and offer promising strategies for more effective treatment modalities.