• Design and Fabrication of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosome-Based Drug Delivery System for Cancer-Related Applications
  • Reyhane Rabiee,1,* Ali Khanshan,2 Iman Shabani,3
    1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, AmirKabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)
    2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, AmirKabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)
    3. Department of Biomedical Engineering, AmirKabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)


  • Introduction: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly 19.3 million new cases and 10 million deaths reported in 2020. Despite advances in conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the overall survival rate and outcomes remain poor for most cancers. This has made provision of new treatment a worldwide focus to mitigate the burden of cancer. Delivery systems present an attractive approach to improve efficacy and minimize toxicity during treatment. Traditional nanocarrier, such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles have been widely investigated; however, their rapid clearance, immunogenicity, and limited targeting efficiency restrict their clinical translation. In this context, exosomes have emerged as natural, biocompatible, and stable nanocarriers with low immunogenicity, capable of crossing biological barriers and mediating organ-specific tropism. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (30–150 nm) consisting of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids that recapitulate the biological signature of their parental cells. Cell communication, immune regulation and disease development are targeted by these molecules. From different origins, MSC-derived exosomes deserve special attention because of their inherent therapeutic effects and tumor-homing characteristics as well as immunomodulatory impact. This makes them ideal for drug delivery systems. Construction of a drug delivery system using MSC exosomes is making breakthroughs in cancer treatment. By combining the natural biological features of exosomes with simple loading methods, such systems can provide a foundation to overcome the shortcomings of current therapeutics and enable targeted personalized cancer therapy.
  • Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured under standard conditions in a humidified incubator at 37 °C until they reached appropriate confluency. MSC-derived exosomes were then isolated using a commercial extraction kit, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The exosomes were then loaded with the selected therapeutic agent through a passive incubation method, which allowed drug molecules to diffuse across the exosomal membrane. Characterization was performed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for size distribution and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for morphology.
  • Results: The isolated MSC-derived exosomes averaged about 70 nm in size according to DLS measurements, aligning with established literature. The size distribution curve showed a relatively narrow polydispersity index, suggesting uniformity in the vesicle population. SEM imaging confirmed the spherical shape of the exosomes, validating their nanoscale structure. Drug loading by incubation achieved moderate encapsulation, in line with previous studies reporting the efficiency of passive methods These results support previous findings that MSC-derived exosomes can be engineered to carry therapeutic molecules like small RNAs, proteins, and chemotherapeutic agents, creating a flexible platform for precision oncology. Their involvement in cell communication and the tumor environment further enhances their value, functioning simultaneously as carriers and active therapeutic agents. Although this study did not include in vivo evaluation, the results highlight the potential of MSC-derived exosomes as natural drug carriers for cancer-related research. Their tumor-targeting ability, combined with low immunogenicity, makes them a safer and more biocompatible alternative compared to synthetic nanocarriers. These findings support the idea that MSC-derived exosomes may serve as a foundation for future preclinical and clinical studies for cancer therapy.
  • Conclusion: In conclusion, MSC-derived exosomes a promising platform for drug delivery in cancer-related applications. Their nanoscale size, intrinsic targeting capability, and biocompatibility enable efficient transport of therapeutic agents while minimizing off-target effects and systemic toxicity. This study successfully isolated, characterized, and loaded drugs into MSC-derived exosomes, with clear evidence from DLS, SEM imaging, and functional tests. The present study demonstrated successful isolation, characterization, and drug loading of MSC-derived exosomes using a commercial kit and passive incubation. Future research should focus on scaling up production, optimizing loading methods, and studying long-term safety in clinical use. With ongoing advancements, exosome-based drug delivery systems could reshape cancer treatment and expand possibilities in nanomedicine.
  • Keywords: Exosomes, Drug Delivery Systems, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Cancer