The therapeutic triad of extracellular vesicles: As drug targets, as drugs, and as drug carriers.

ABSTRACT

Rapidly growing interest in the study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has led to the accumulation of evidence on their critical roles in various pathologies, as well as opportunities to design novel therapeutic EV-based applications. Efficiently exploiting the constantly expanding knowledge of the biology and function of EVs requires a deep understanding of the various possible strategies of using EVs for therapeutic purposes. Accordingly, in the present work, we have narrowed the broad therapeutic potential of EVs and consider the similarities and differences of various strategies as we articulate three major aspects (i.e., a triad) of their therapeutic uses (i) EVs as drug targets, whereby we discuss therapeutic targeting of disease-promoting EVs; (ii) EVs as drugs, whereby we consider the natural medicinal properties of EVs and the available options for their optimization; and (iii) EVs as drug carriers, whereby we highlight the advantages of EVs as vehicles for efficacious drug delivery of natural compounds. Finally, after conducting a comprehensive review of the latest literature on each of these aspects, we outline opportunities, limitations, and potential solutions.