Fig. 5.

Extracellular vesicles for anti-tumor therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining recognition for their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology. Due to their inherent circulation stability and proficiency in mediating horizontal cargo transfer, EVs can be harnessed as carriers, loaded with various therapeutic agents ranging from chemotherapeutics to tumor-specific RNA interference molecules. Their natural ability to target specific cell populations makes them an ideal medium for precise drug delivery.EVs can be equipped with specific ligands to target malignant cells in diverse disease states, ensuring that therapeutic agents reach their intended sites with minimal off-target effects. By engineering EVs to display certain proteins, such as PD1 or tumor-specific antigen peptides, they can be transformed into tools for modulating the immune system. This strategy can amplify the body’s natural defense against cancers, potentially mitigating tumor growth or even initiating tumor regression. Researchers have devised innovative ways to repurpose EVs as vaccine platforms. By manipulating their content or surface properties, EVs can serve as promising candidates for next-generation vaccines, particularly for malignancies