EXOSOME BASED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Ankita Ajay Jadhav*, Tanvi Sanjay Patil, Ravi P. Barkade, Shruti Anil Kore

Exosome-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a novel and promising platform in nanomedicine due to their natural origin, excellent biocompatibility, and intrinsic ability to mediate intercellular communication. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (30–150 nm) secreted by nearly all cell types and found in various body fluids, including blood, saliva, and urine. They carry a complex cargo of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials such as mRNA transcript and miRNA, which play critical roles in regulating biological and disease associated processes. These biological vesicles possess unique advantages over synthetic nanoparticles, including high stability, low immunogenicity, efficient cellular uptake, and the ability to transport across protective biological membranes.[1] In recent years, exosomes have gained significant attention as natural carriers for delivering therapeutic molecules, including small drugs, nucleic acids, and proteins, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. Advanced techniques in exosome isolation, purification, and engineering—such as surface modification and cargo loading—have enhanced their targeting efficiency and therapeutic potential. Despite these advantages, several challenges remain, including difficulties in large-scale production, lack of standardized isolation protocols, limited drug loading capacity, and concerns related to storage stability and biodistribution.[3] Ongoing research aims to overcome these limitations through bioengineering approaches and hybrid exosome systems that combine natural and synthetic components. Overall, exosome based drug delivery systems represent a cutting-edge, biocompatible, and versatile strategy for achieving precise, targeted, and personalized therapy in modern biomedical research.[14]