Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
BackgroundCancer remains a major global health burden and is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Conventional drug delivery systems (DDSs), such as nanoparticles and liposomes, have shown potential in improving therapeutic efficacy, but they are limited by nonspecific targeting, immune responses, and toxicity.MethodsThis review is based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature published between 2015 and 2025, focusing on the characteristics and applications of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-EXOs) in cancer therapy. Emphasis was placed on their biological features, therapeutic potential, and drug loading techniques.ResultsMSC-EXOs exhibit unique advantages, including low immunogenicity, intrinsic tumor-homing capacity, and the ability to transport a wide range of bioactive molecules. These properties enable efficient drug delivery across biological barriers. Drug loading methods such as incubation, electroporation, and sonication have been effectively used. Recent studies demonstrate the enhanced antitumor efficacy of MSC-EXOs in preclinical models of breast, colorectal, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma.ConclusionMSC-derived exosomes offer a natural and effective alternative to synthetic nanocarriers for cancer drug delivery. Their ability to target tumors, reduce off-target toxicity, and improve therapeutic outcomes makes them a promising platform in future cancer treatments. However, further efforts are required to address manufacturing, standardization, and regulatory challenges for successful clinical translation.Lay SummaryCancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, prompting continuous efforts to improve therapeutic strategies. Drug delivery systems (DDS) help transport medicine directly to cancer cells, but artificial carriers like nanoparticles and liposomes can cause immune reactions or lack targeting precision.Recently, natural carriers called exosomes-tiny particles released by cells-have gained attention, especially those from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These MSC-derived exosomes can avoid immune detection, target tumors, and deliver drugs effectively.This review highlights the advantages of using MSC-exosomes over artificial systems in cancer therapy, including their ability to improve treatment safety and success.Lay SummaryCancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, prompting continuous efforts to improve therapeutic strategies. Drug delivery systems (DDS) help transport medicine directly to cancer cells, but artificial carriers like nanoparticles and liposomes can cause immune reactions or lack targeting precision.Recently, natural carriers called exosomes-tiny particles released by cells-have gained attention, especially those from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These MSC-derived exosomes can avoid immune detection, target tumors, and deliver drugs effectively.This review highlights the advantages of using MSC-exosomes over artificial systems in cancer therapy, including their ability to improve treatment safety and success.Lay SummaryCancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, prompting continuous efforts to improve therapeutic strategies. Drug delivery systems (DDS) help transport medicine directly to cancer cells, but artificial carriers like nanoparticles and liposomes can cause immune reactions or lack targeting precision.Recently, natural carriers called exosomes-tiny particles released by cells-have gained attention, especially those from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These MSC-derived exosomes can avoid immune detection, target tumors, and deliver drugs effectively.This review highlights the advantages of using MSC-exosomes over artificial systems in cancer therapy, including their ability to improve treatment safety and success.