Natural nanocarriers in oncology: The targeting and delivery capabilities of extracellular vesicles
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2026
Yazarlar: Sevval Kurt, Ilgin Kimiz-Gebologlu, Ozge Cinar, Suphi S. Oncel
OpenNano, Uluslararası, Scopus, 2026, cilt 28, ss 100287-100287
DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2026.100287
Özet
• EVs act as natural nanocarriers with intrinsic tumor targeting ability. • Mesenchymal stem cells-derived EVs offer scalable and clinically promising delivery platforms. • Genetic and chemical EV engineering enhances tumor targeting and delivery efficiency. • Pre- and post-loading strategies optimize therapeutic cargo delivery. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale structures naturally released by cells that mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. Their natural origin provides high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, enhanced stability in circulation, and evades immune clearance. Moreover, the presence of surface integrins, tetraspanins, and adhesion molecules endows EVs with intrinsic targeting capacity, enabling selective interaction with recipient cells. Beyond their role as biological messengers, accumulating evidence points to the active role of EVs in regulating key physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis, tumor invasion, metastasis, immune regulation and inflammatory responses within the tumor microenvironment. These unique properties have positioned EVs as promising natural nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy, especially for improving the bioavailability, stability, and therapeutic index of anticancer agents. Here, this review comprehensively discusses EV biogenesis, isolation and characterization methods, cargo diversity, drug loading strategies, and targeting approaches, with particular emphasis on their application as natural nanocarriers in cancer treatment. Current challenges related to scalability, standardization, and clinical translation are also addressed, highlighting future directions for integrating EV-based systems into next-generation oncological treatments.