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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0International Journal of Nanomedicine

Extracellular Vesicles as Tailored Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer: Engineering Modifications and Therapeutic Synergies

  • Wenlong Huang1
  • Jiaqi Wang2
  • Juan Ma3
  • Changwei Yang4
  • Linke Lu5
  • Linli Chen5
  • Jun Wang5
  • Tianyu Yan5
  • Ning Li6
  • Tao Qin5
  • Minghong Zhao5
  • Defa Huang7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of General Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi (Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University), Zunyi, 563000, People’s Republic of China
  2. 2School of Pharmacy, Henan University Kaifeng, Kaifeng, 475000, People’s Republic of China
  3. 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First People’s Hospital of Zunyi (Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University), Zunyi, 563000, People’s Republic of China
  4. 4Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, People’s Republic of China
  5. 5Laboratory Medicine, Guizhou Aerospace Hospital, Zunyi, 563000, People’s Republic of China
  6. 6Laboratory Medicine, PKUCare LuZhong Medical Center(General Hospital), Zibo, 255000, People’s Republic of China
  7. 7Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, People’s Republic of China
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Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale membrane-bound vesicles that mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules, playing crucial roles in physiology and pathology. Recently, EVs have attracted considerable interest as drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy due to their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and intrinsic targeting capabilities. This review systematically summarizes EV biogenesis, classification, and characteristics, and thoroughly explores their applications in delivering chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, and immunomodulators for cancer treatment. We emphasize engineering strategies to enhance EV targeting and therapeutic efficacy, including surface modification, cell source selection, and drug loading techniques. Additionally, we evaluate recent advances in overcoming tumor drug resistance and achieving combinational therapies, such as chemo-photothermal-immunotherapy, using EV platforms. Finally, we examine critical challenges hindering clinical translation, including standardized production, quality control, and scalable manufacturing. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for developing EVs as next-generation drug delivery systems in cancer therapy.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{huang2026extracellular,
  title = {{Extracellular Vesicles as Tailored Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer: Engineering Modifications and Therapeutic Synergies}},
  author = {Wenlong Huang and Jiaqi Wang and Juan Ma and Changwei Yang and Linke Lu and Linli Chen and Jun Wang and Tianyu Yan and Ning Li and Tao Qin and Minghong Zhao and Defa Huang},
  journal = {International Journal of Nanomedicine},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.2147/ijn.s627425},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s627425},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Extracellular Vesicles as Tailored Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer: Engineering Modifications and Therapeutic Synergies
AU  - Wenlong Huang
AU  - Jiaqi Wang
AU  - Juan Ma
AU  - Changwei Yang
AU  - Linke Lu
AU  - Linli Chen
AU  - Jun Wang
AU  - Tianyu Yan
AU  - Ning Li
AU  - Tao Qin
AU  - Minghong Zhao
AU  - Defa Huang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/30
JO  - International Journal of Nanomedicine
DO  - 10.2147/ijn.s627425
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s627425
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale membrane-bound vesicles that mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules, playing crucial roles in physiology and pathology. Recently, EVs have attracted considerable interest as drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy due to their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and intrinsic targeting capabilities. This review systematically summarizes EV biogenesis, classification, and characteristics, and thoroughly explores their applications in delivering chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, and immunomodulators for cancer treatment. We emphasize engineering strategies to enhance EV targeting and therapeutic efficacy, including surface modification, cell source selection, and drug loading techniques. Additionally, we evaluate recent advances in overcoming tumor drug resistance and achieving combinational therapies, such as chemo-photothermal-immunotherapy, using EV platforms. Finally, we examine critical challenges hindering clinical translation, including standardized production, quality control, and scalable manufacturing. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for developing EVs as next-generation drug delivery systems in cancer therapy.
SN  - 1176-9114
SN  - 1178-2013
ER  -